Booth, Stephen

The Book Called Holinshed's Chronicles...with a leaf from the 1587 edition [Vortigern and Rowena Forgery]

San Francisco: The Book Club of California, 1968. Limited Edition. Hardcover. "An account of its inception, purpose, contributors, publication, revision and influence on William Shakespeare". With an leaf from the 1587 edition, in this copy pages 77/8, dealing with the fifth century reign of Vortigern, his invitation to the Saxons Hengist and Horsa to help him defeat the Saxons, and his passion for Hengist's daughter Rowena. Stephen Booth's text begins with the reflection that Shakespeare's use of Holinshed's Chronicles is and has been the primary reason for study of the work. The Vortigern episode formed the inspiration for William Henry Ireland's forgery of a lost Shakespeare play, "Vortigern and Rowena", with Ireland mimicking Shakespeare's use of Holinshed's Chronicles as a source for many of his plays. Fading to the top edges of the paper-covered boards, spots of foxing to top edge and cloth spine. Illustrated endpapers bright. [x], 83, [1]pp. 14.25 x 9". As an oversize book this order will be packed carefully and may incur additional shipping charges. Very Good. Item #2026-S100

Price: $300.00