Whitney (Geoffrey) A Choice of Emblemes, and Other Devises, 2 parts in 1, first edition, collation: *-2*4 3*2 A-Z4 a-f4, lacking final blank, title with woodcut printer's device and typographical border, dedication to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester with full-page woodcut coat of arms, title to second part with woodcut bear and the ragged staff enclosed by garter belt, 248 woodcut emblems within woodcut typograhical borders after Plantin, Alciati, Faerno, Sambucus and Junius, each with a Latin caption and with explanatory text in English or Latin, part II with repaired tears to d3&4, touching text, but with no loss and to f1-3, mostly marginal, but touching a few letters of sidenotes and just touching 2 typographical borders, occasional marking or light soiling, but generally a very good copy, nineteenth century brown crushed morocco, gilt, rubbed, [Landwehr, Low Countries, 898; Praz p.535; Green, Alciati, 111; Freeman pp.56-61; STC 25438], 4to (222 x 165mm.), Leiden, In the House of Christopher Plantin, by Francis Raphelengius, 1586.

⁂ The first Emblem Book in English. Dedicated to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (1532? -88), favourite of Elizabeth I. In 1585 Leicester was appointed as commander of the English expedition to the Low Countries to aid the fight against The Duke of Parma, nephew of Philip II of Spain. On arrival Leicester was received with great hope and offered the absolute government of the States-General, which he accepted much to Elizabeth's displeasure. Despite this honour Leicester was not a competent General and the campaign faltered, so much so that in under a year he had left the country and England had offered to make peace with Spain. A 12 plate work was published in 1586 which depicted Leicester's triumphant entry at The Hague (see Landwehr, Splendid Ceremonies, 48 ).

The emblems are split into three distinct kinds as Whitney describes in his preface, ' Historicall , as representing the actes of some noble persons, being matter of historie. Naturall, as in expressing the nature of creatures, for example the love of the yonge Storkes.... Morall , pertaining to vertue and instruction of life, which is the chief of the three...'Included is an emblem representing the achievements of Sir Francis Drake.

Provenance: Fontaine Walker; John Landwehr (sold his sale, Bloomsbury Auctions, 15th November, 2006; bookplates).