The Book of Thenseygnementes

Vellucent binding by Chivers

This was the title given by the English printer Caxton to his translation of a French book which was written in 1371–2 by the Chevalier Geoffroy de La Tour Landry, for the double purpose of teaching his infant daughters to read and instructing them in the manners and virtues proper to gentlewomen. This book contained 149 chapters, made up of stories and moral examples drawn from various sources, such as chronicles, legendary history, and the Bible, as well as from contemporary gossip and the author's own experiences.

Limited edition on hand-made paper, this numbered 39 or 56 printed, of which only 50 are for sale; 4to (230 x 190 mm); edited with notes and glossary by Rawlings, Preface by William Caxton, engraved title-page, frontispiece and five plates in two states, historiated chapter capitals printed in red, all by Garth Jones, the odd, minor spot to preliminary leaves, otherwise very clean and bright; contemporary hand-painted vellucent binding by Cedric Chivers, Bath, gilt-panelled, the spine and upper board outlined in gilt, hand-painted landscape illustrations, upper panel of Knight in armour against a castle landscape, with a riverlet of mother-of-pearl, this echoed on the spine, without the figure, gilt-panelled marbled endpapers, top edge gilt, brown blooming from glue reaction, fore-edge a little spotted, otherwise very good.