Swan marks, [16th century].

Description

Title: Swan marks, [16th century].
Abstract: Two volumes, in two different hands, with drawings in ink (some colored) on vellum of swan marks granted by the King of England to persons who have lands valued at least 500 marks and who wish to keep swans, otherwise designated a royal bird and the property of the crown. The catalog of marks assigned to each family, in rough alphabetic order is preceded by a summary of various laws related to the keeping of swans and their designation as royal game. From Horace Walpole's 1774 edition of Description of the villa of Mr. Horace Walpole at Strawberry-Hill near Twickenham, Middlesex: Curious books in the glass closet in the library ... Two books of swan-marks, on vellum: extremely rare
Description: In English and Latin.
Title from preliminary leaf, larger volume, on paper bound in preceding marks on vellum leaves.
Title on preliminary leaf in smaller volume: The swane booke.
Both volumes with the armorial bookplate of Earl of Derby, 1775-1851 and press mark 25. B.
Text from the 1842 Catalogue of the classic contents of Strawberry Hill collected by Horace Walpole: Two books of Swanmark's, 8vo, bound in vellum, and extremely rare.
Provenance: Owned by Horace Walpole by 1774. S1842, Strawberry Hill Sale, day 6, lot 8, bt Boone [for Lord Derby], £8.8.0; 1953 October 19, Christie's, Knowsley Hall Sale, lots 98-99 (2 vols), bt Maggs for W. S. Lewis; The Lewis Walpole Library, Yale University.
Extent: 2 25.5 x 20 cm v. :
Extent of Digitization: This object has been completely digitized.
Language: English