George Gascoigne — A Hundreth Sundrie Flowres

London, Humphrey Milford: Oxford University Press, 1926. Cloth. A smart copy of this collection of poetry attributed to English writer George Gascoigne, based on the first edition. From the original edition. Illustrated with a frontispiece, two portrait plates and numerous in-text images. Collated complete. Gascoigne's best known and controversial work was originally published in 1573. This book purports to be an anthology of courtly poets, gathered and edited by Gascoigne and two other editors known only by the initials "H.W." and "G.T." The book's content is suggestive of courtly scandal skilfully elaborated through the effective use of initials and posies - tags supposed to denote particular authors - in place of the real names of alleged authors. Judged to be offensive, the book was seized by Her Majesty's High Commissioners, although Gascoigne republished the book with certain additions and deletions two years later under the alternative title, The Posies of George Gascoigne, Esquire. Attributed to George Gascoigne, an English poet, soldier and unsuccessful courtier. He is considered the most important poet of the early Elizabethan era. In the original quarter cloth binding with paper covered boards. Externally, smart with minor bumping to the extremities and the odd small mark to the boards. Minor worming to the front board. Front hinge just starting but firm. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright with light scattered spotting to the first and last few pages. Previous owner's bookplate, bookseller's label, and a contemporary ink inscription to the front pastedown. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .