Gower, John

De Confessione Amantis [Gower's Confessions. Lover's Confession]

      Thomas Berthelette, London 1532 - Quarto. Title page with decorative borders, soiled, 1" tear from foreedge into borders. Signatures of Joseph Hall & Thomas Ottley on t.p. Small "JE" bookplate on front pastedown. Binding is very old full vellum (re-used manuscript) somewhat inexpertly applied over wooden boards; vellum split 2" at spine's bottom front corner, rusted anchors of former metal clasps showing through foreedge of covers (clasps absent); binding entirely opened at inner front hinge showing cords which are strong and tight, rear inner hinge opening at folio 187; Lacks blank endleaves; signature A mostly loose from binding, held by bottom cord only; minor pin-hole worming to covers and adjacent leaves not seriously affecting text; faint dampstains spreading from gutter and bottom edge into text; small B. Quaritch pencil note on rear pastedown noting absence of leaves 189 and 191 which are supplied with manuscript replacements; otherwise complete. Handsomely and strongly printed in 2 columns with occasional 3-line capitals and 5-line decorated capitals, running heads, etc. Sold as is, with all faults. (See also 3rd ed 1554, my inventory number 000051.) [Attributes: Hard Cover]