[MR] Book review: Early English printing

[Garth G. Groff]

Noble friends,

Just received at the UVA Library: WILLIAM CAXTON AND EARLY PRINTING IN 
ENGLAND by Lotte Hellinga (ISBN 9780712350884; our call number ALDERMAN 
Z232 .C38 H453 2010). This is a fascinating book on a very special 
subject, early printing in England. The work largely considers the 
career of William Caxton, the first printer in England, who was active 
from 1472 until is death in 1492. The text continues until 1535, with 
the death of Wynkyn de Worde, said to be the last surviving printer of 
the generation which followed Caxton. The book examines  the lives of 
these men, and their competitors, the early history of the books 
themselves, and the political and social changes printing brought to 
England. It is lavishly illustrated with many examples of early 
printing, some with illuminations and illustrations in color. Of 
particular interest is a cut showing the funeral of Henry VII, which 
includes the earliest known image of Henry VIII at the front of the 
mourners. It is followed by the same cut recast for the funeral of Henry 
VIII's grandmother Margaret Beaufort. There is great detail in many of 
the illustrations which would be of great interest to costumers. As 
expected, the book has a complete index and a large bibliography. This 
book is great background for anyone interested in early to mid-Tudor 
England. Any for anyone who plays with movable type, it is valuable history.

Kind regards,


Lord Mungo Napier, Shire of Isenfir's Unofficial Librarian
(mka Garth Groff, former journalist)