Items
Details
Title
Copybook of Mary Bold [manuscript], 1719-1720.
Description
[48] pages ; 20 x 17 cm
Associated name
Bold, Mary, author, author.
Summary
Pen trials and ownership inscription inside covers. Exercises include letterforms and numbers, names ("Amos Bernard Charles Daniel Enoch"), proverb-style phrases such as "Nature and beauty ever doth contrive" and "Make much of every moment of your time," and some arithmetic at the end (word problems, sums, and a "Numeration Table"). "Mary Bold her Book" is inscribed at the bottom of each page, dated either 1719 or 1720.
Dealer's description: "A scarce survival, this early eighteenth century manuscript copybook containing examples of writing practice and penmanship bears the ownership inscription of a young woman, “Mary Bold her book 1719.” Under headings penned with decorative calligraphic flourishes, some incorporating designs of fish and birds, the manuscript consists of full pages repeating the alphabet, numerals, and pithy maxims for the purpose of improving handwriting: “To make our lives and fortunes still to thrive ... No wonder tis that men do turn to clay ... When rocks and stones and monuments decay ... Content who lives with competent estate ... Needs not to court mens love nor fear ...” The engraving printed on the original card wrapper depicts Don Quixote, evidently a reuse of a plate that had earlier been employed for the frontispiece to This history of the most ingenious knight Don Quixote de la Mancha (London, Richard Chiswell, 1700)."
Dealer's description: "A scarce survival, this early eighteenth century manuscript copybook containing examples of writing practice and penmanship bears the ownership inscription of a young woman, “Mary Bold her book 1719.” Under headings penned with decorative calligraphic flourishes, some incorporating designs of fish and birds, the manuscript consists of full pages repeating the alphabet, numerals, and pithy maxims for the purpose of improving handwriting: “To make our lives and fortunes still to thrive ... No wonder tis that men do turn to clay ... When rocks and stones and monuments decay ... Content who lives with competent estate ... Needs not to court mens love nor fear ...” The engraving printed on the original card wrapper depicts Don Quixote, evidently a reuse of a plate that had earlier been employed for the frontispiece to This history of the most ingenious knight Don Quixote de la Mancha (London, Richard Chiswell, 1700)."
Note
This is a PRELIMINARY RECORD. It may contain incorrect information. Please email catalog@folger.edu for assistance.
Title supplied by cataloger
Title supplied by cataloger
Linked resources
Blog post about Folger Shakespeare Library W.a.516: "Don Quixote on an Early Paper Cover", The Collation (2 August 2016)
Place of creation/publication
Great Britain -- England.
Item Details
Call number
W.a.516
Folger-specific note
In original card wrapper with engraved frontispiece of The history of the most ingenious knight Don Quixote de la Mancha (London: Richard Chiswell, 1700) printed on front cover. Adopted by Gail McMurray Gibson, Theresa Coletti, and Georgianna Ziegler in honor of Bold writings, Acquisitions Night 2018.
Folger accession
269583