Emblemata.- [Whitney (Geoffrey)] [A Choice of Emblemes, and Other Devises], 2 parts in 1, first edition, divisional title with woodcut device, numerous woodcut illustrations of emblems, 2*3 in state with line 18 ending 'and', lacking 3 initial ff. including title (*1-2, *4) and final 5ff. (e4, f1-4), Z4 ink ownership inscription dated 1750, 4 ff. shorter and loose thus presumably from another copy (these N4, X1, & e2-3), tiny hole to woodcut C3, small marginal defects to K2, N1 Q4 & c4 (affecting catchword) Z3, T1-V1 small tear gutter head, closed tears without loss to L1 & O2, e4 defect at gutter (affecting woodcut), otherwise some browning and staining, some fraying to edges and scattered other small tears, contemporary calf, worn, [Landwehr, Low Countries, 898; Praz p.535; Green, Alciati, 111; Freeman pp.56-61; STC 25438], [Leiden], [In the House of Christopher Plantin, by Francis Raphelengius], [1586].

⁂ The first Emblem Book in English, and the only English book issued by Plantin. 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.