Edits in Prominent Texts

Written on the inside front board is “tresure this booke.” The
sentence that inspired the title of this exhibition. An owner of
this tome wanted others to know that this book was special.

Church of England
A collection of articles, injunctions, canons, orders,
ordinances, and constitutions..., London: 1675.
McClintock Collection

This book contains a fair amount of marginalia. The owner of
this text was not shy in noting their opinions. One owner
noted in pencil “Very Curious” about the text and maybe even the annotations.

Salomonis van Til
Phosporus propheticus, Lugduni-Batavorum: 1700.
McClintock Collection

Written in the margin on p.126 is a note that says,

“Look at this.”

Nicholas Lockyer
A divine discovery of sincerity..., London: 1649.
McClintock Collection

Drew owns several early (pre-1525) Luther imprints. One such work, Ein
sermon von dem heylingen hochwirdigen Sacrament der Tauf e [A Sermon on
the holy and blessed Sacrament of Baptism] (1520), contains extensive contemporary annotations and underlining. Most notably, the title page includes copious hand-written citations from the medieval Canon Law on baptism. Since Luther famously burned the Canon Law, these citations raise interesting questions: Was the annotator a supporter of Luther, an adversary, something else?

Ein sermon von dem heylingen hochwirdigen
Sacrament der Tauf e [A Sermon on the holy and
blessed Sacrament of Baptism] (1520)
Rare Book Collection

Known as "The Hammer of Witches" in English, this seminal work was
initially published in Germany in 1486, establishing itself as one of the
most renowned books on the subject of witches. Authored by clergyman
Henricus Institor, the text commences with the substantiation of the
existence of witchcraft, delves into the purported abilities of witches, and
provides a detailed guide on conducting witch trials. Additionally, our
edition features annotations in the margins by an early modern reader.

Malleus Maleficarum. Francofvrti ad Moenvm: apud
Nicolaum Bassaeum, 1580.
George Fraser Black Collection of Witchcraft

Within this prayer book, there is a laid-in annotated poem of
The Coming of Arthur. The poem was located on “Monday in
Easter week.” Connections are made between Christianity and this medieval tale.

The Book of Common Prayer, Philadelphia: 1851.
Prayerbook [Prinster] Collection