![[NOWELL, Alexander (1507?-1602), dean of St.Paul's]. A Catechism or first Instruction and Learning of Christian Religion. Translated out of Latine into Englishe [by Thomas Norton]. London: John Day, 1570.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1995/CKS/1995_CKS_05424_0108_000(103225).jpg?w=1)
Details
[NOWELL, Alexander (1507?-1602), dean of St.Paul's]. A Catechism or first Instruction and Learning of Christian Religion. Translated out of Latine into Englishe [by Thomas Norton]. London: John Day, 1570.
Small 4° (188 x 142mm). Collation: A-Y4. Title within border of typographic ornaments, woodcut printer's device [McKerrow 83B] and Day's large device [McKerrow 128] on verso of last leaf. 19th-century morocco gilt (slightly rubbed) by Mansell successor of Hayday, edges gilt. Provenance: John Hastlyn (contemporary signature on title); Cardiff Castle bookplate.
FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH of Nowell's 'Large Catechism' written "at the request of some great persons in the church ... in order to silence those who asserted that the Protestants had no principles." Its compilation is indebted to the 'Short Catechism' of 1553 by John Poynet, as well as to Calvin's catechism. It holds an important place in the religious history of the English church and was first published in Latin in the same year, 1570, and translated by the poet Thomas Norton, the author of 'Gorboduc', the first English tragedy. It was appointed to be read at Oxford in 1578 and at Cambridge in 1589, and was studied throughout the 17th century. Nowell subsequently published two abridgments, known as the 'Middle Catechism' (1572) and the 'Shorter Catechism' (1573). STC 18708 (recording 10 copies, including one imperfect at Cambridge and 3 at the Folger Library)
Small 4° (188 x 142mm). Collation: A-Y4. Title within border of typographic ornaments, woodcut printer's device [McKerrow 83B] and Day's large device [McKerrow 128] on verso of last leaf. 19th-century morocco gilt (slightly rubbed) by Mansell successor of Hayday, edges gilt. Provenance: John Hastlyn (contemporary signature on title); Cardiff Castle bookplate.
FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH of Nowell's 'Large Catechism' written "at the request of some great persons in the church ... in order to silence those who asserted that the Protestants had no principles." Its compilation is indebted to the 'Short Catechism' of 1553 by John Poynet, as well as to Calvin's catechism. It holds an important place in the religious history of the English church and was first published in Latin in the same year, 1570, and translated by the poet Thomas Norton, the author of 'Gorboduc', the first English tragedy. It was appointed to be read at Oxford in 1578 and at Cambridge in 1589, and was studied throughout the 17th century. Nowell subsequently published two abridgments, known as the 'Middle Catechism' (1572) and the 'Shorter Catechism' (1573). STC 18708 (recording 10 copies, including one imperfect at Cambridge and 3 at the Folger Library)