356

Edmund Bunny (1540-1619)

The Scepter of Judah.

London: Imprinted by N. Newton and A. Hatfield for Iohn Wight, 1584.
First edition, octavo, title page printed within an elaborate frame made of printer's ornaments; woodcut on verso depicting the Arms of Gray's Inn, with a rampant griffin at the center, the "Gryphus Graiensis," with the Inn's motto along the frame, "Integra lex aequi custos rectique magistra non habet affectus; sed causas iure, gubernat," and verses in praise of the institution beneath; the work is dedicated to the "Gentlemen and Students of Graies In," by the author; lacking final leaf (last page of the table); bound in later half calf with marbled paper boards, worn; L8 torn with loss to margin; water damage and toning, paper tender; some worming to inner gutter; 5 3/4 x 3 3/4 in.

STC 4094; ESTC S107057.

According to the Gray's Inn website, the griffin was first used in the coat of arms beginning in the 1590s, however, the existence of the woodcut arms and motto in the present work mean that the change must have been made earlier. (For more see: https://www.graysinn.org.uk/the-inn/history/the-griffin/)

  • Condition: A-O8, P3 (lacking last leaf of table).

    Please contact us to request a condition report:
    Devon Eastland, Senior Specialist: [email protected]
    Grace Meschery-McCormack, Cataloguer: [email protected]


    Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.

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April 23, 2026 10:30 AM EDT
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