1st Italian Edition of the Book of Common Prayer

“Il Libro Delle Publiche ed Amministratzione de’Sacramenti”

M. Pitt & Thomas Parsell – London 1685

Complete: (72) 312, 289-550, [24]

Bound in traditional contemporary black Morocco Binding and joints firm but with wear to leather spine and joints and with bumped corners. Gilt text block and marbled end papers. Text clean and red ruled throughout by hand. Otherwise very good condition overall.

Ticket of the former Archdeacon  of Berkshire and the Lleweni collection

This is the first Italian edition of the Book of Common prayer, which was written as “part of an English propaganda plan to instigate a schism in the Church of Venice, at a time of conflict between the court of Rome and the Venetian Republic” (Villani). The translation was undertaken by William Beddell with the help of Paolo Sarpi. An introduction by Edward Brown, formerly Chaplain to Sir John Finch who had resided in Tuscan, included prayers for Charles I. It’s aim was to promote the Anglican church in Italy, but had little success as the few protestants in Italy remained under the Calvinist school.

Appears to be uncommon at auction with the last recorded copy being the Macclesfield copy which sold in 2006

USTC: 3112128  (33 copies), ESTC R24273 Wing B3675Bl

£900