350

Pierre Boaistuau [aka Tigurinus Chelidonius] (c. 1517-1566)

A Most Excellent Hystorie of the Institution and Firste Beginning of Christian Princes.

London: Printed by H. Bynneman, 1571.
First edition in English, quarto, lacking title page (supplied in pen facsimile) and two leaves signed *, (a table); side notes and headlines cropped; final signature with worm damage; final leaf mounted; bound in old leather boards, rebacked; rare at auction; 7 x 5 in.

STC 5113; ESTC S104623.

This courtesy book was originally published in French by Boaistuau in 1556. Manners, divine right and political theory join together into a popular combination in the Renaissance. The work was printed in London at a time when the power struggle between Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I was still volatile. 1571 was also the year of the Ridolfi Plot, a pro-Catholic conspiracy to murder Elizabeth hatched in support of Mary.

  • Condition: A2-4 (lacking title page [A1], B-Y4, Aa-Dd4.

    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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