Xenophon. Xenophons treatise of householde, collation: A-H⁸, printed entirely in black letter except "To the reader" on title-verso in Roman, title within architectural woodcut border, woodcut initial, lower half of colophon leaf H⁸ cut away but no loss of text, [STC 26069], Imprinted at London in Flete-strete, by Thomas Berthelet printer to the kynges most noble grace, 1532; bound with Fitzherbert (John) The Boke of Husbandry, collation: A⁶ B-M⁸ N², printed entirely in black letter, title within same woodcut architectural border as first work, woodcut initial, E⁴ torn with slight loss of text, I² torn at inner margin just touching text, several leaves towards end with passages inked out and some early annotations/corrections, some light water-staining, [STC 10995.5], Imprinted at London in fletestrete in the house of Thomas Berthelet, nere to the condite at the sygne of Lucrece, [?1533], together 2 works in 1, stubs of a medieval manuscript on vellum at rear, early 17th century panelled calf, rubbed, small worm-hole to lower cover, extremities worn, 8vo

⁂ Two rare early English agricultural books, the second printed 10 years after Pynson's first edition of 1523 and probably the first reprint issued by Berthelet. ESTC locates 4 copies of the first work, including this one; and 7 copies of the second work, again including this one. Auction records show infrequent appearances of both works on the market, but none as early as either of these.

Provenance: Henry Hills (partially erased signature to front free endpaper); John Martin of Harbrough (inscription to front free endpaper with two dates, one partially obscured, the other 1700); Colonel & Mrs Forbes Leith of Whitehaugh (early 20th century bookplate). Other contemporary annotations to rear free endpaper crossed out and indecipherable.

Rothamsted acquisition date 1930.