Leaf from The Golden Legend
Artist: William Caxton (English | British, ca.1422-1491)
Printer: Wynkyn de Worde (British | English, ca. 1456-1535)
Author: Jacobus de Voragine (Italian, ca. 1230 - July 13 or 16, 1298)
Date: 1498
Medium: letterpress on paper
Place of Origin: Westminster, England
Classification: Books
Credit Line: Museum Purchase
Object number: 1915.133
Label Text:Wynkyn de Worde was Caxton's chief printer and successor. De Worde's first illustrated books were those in which he could use Caxton's blocks (which became his after Caxton died in 1491), and he continued to use them until they broke down. In his career, he issued almost 450 illustrated titles, and although many were reprints, the great number demonstrates Worde's commitment to illustrations in books. These pages are from worde's edition of one of Caxton's most important and popular illustrated books, THE GOLDEN LEGEND, which recounted the lives of the saints.
These woodcut illustrations were used by Caxton in the first edition of the Golden Legend. The present impressions are on leaves from the edition printed in 1498 by Wynkyn de Worde, his apprentice and successor.
These woodcut illustrations were used by Caxton in the first edition of the Golden Legend. The present impressions are on leaves from the edition printed in 1498 by Wynkyn de Worde, his apprentice and successor.
DescriptionLeaf from The Golden Legend by Jacobus de Voragine, in English text, with woodcuts used by William Caxton and printed by Wynkyn de Worde.
Not on view
In Collection(s)