Bartosz Paprocki (c.1543-c.1614)
Ogrod Krolweski [The Royal Garden]. Prague: Daniel Siedlczanski, 1599.
First edition, specially bound for the dedicatee, alchemist and Protestant activist, Piotr Gorajski of Gora. At the time of the dedication, Gorajski was about to enter the Polish Parliament; he was also known as a defender of freedom of conscience. Paprocki dedicated the second part of his Royal Garden to another alchemist in Paprocki’s close circle, the philosopher, medical doctor, and acquaintance of John Dee, Michael Sendivogius (1566-1636). Historian, poet and heraldist, Paprocki here presents a chronicle of Poland and neighbouring areas of Moravia, the Czech Republic, Austria and Slavic states. It is profusely illustrated with woodcut portraits of many rulers, battle scenes and town views.

2 parts in one volume, folio (307 x 195mm). Title and part title within architectural woodcut border, woodcut arms of the dedicatee on each title verso, multi-part woodcut borders incorporating animals and fish on each page, numerous woodcut portraits and scenes (few small wormholes at ends, occasional light spotting or browning, more prevalent at end, light dampstain in title and final few leaves, small marginal hole in G4). Contemporary Polish calf over pastepaper boards tooled in gilt and blind, Gorajski of the Korczak arms (front) and large arabesque (back) within roll-borders, title and date tooled on front cover, red diagonal-striped fore-edges, fore-edge ties replaced (gilt mostly lost, lightly restored at spine and board edges, a few small wormholes).

Piotr Gorajski of Gora (d.1619; binding) – E.S. (20th-century stamped initials).

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