Holbein

15454 — London:: G. Smeeton 19th century early. Rare. We find no other copies of this particular print published by G. Smeeton other copies scarce as well appear later than ours. 11.5 x 19 cm. Fine impression. Minor edge wear at bottom edge margin no affect with large clean margins. Suitable for framing. Apparently created after Holbein portrait. ÒAndrew Boorde Boorde also spelled Borde born c. 1490 - 1549 English physician and author of the first English guidebook to Europe.Boorde was educated at the University of Oxford and was admitted as a member of the Carthusian order while still a minor. In 1521 he was Òdispensed from religionÓ to act as suffragan bishop of Chichester though he never filled the office and in 1529 he was freed from his monastic vows not being able to endure the hardships of religiosity. He visited the universities of OrlŽans Poitiers Toulouse Montpellier and Wittenberg saw Òmuch abominable vicesÓ at Rome and went on pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. In 1534 Boorde was again in London at the Charterhouse. Then the statesman Thomas Cromwell seems to have sent him to determine public feeling abroad about Henry VIIIÕs policies. In 1536 however he was studying and practicing medicine at Glasgow.About 1538 Boorde again traveled extensively visiting nearly all the countries of Europe and later making his way to Jerusalem. He settled for a time at Montpellier in France and before 1542 had completed his First Book of the Introduction of Knowledge in prose and Òryme doggerelÓ 1548 which ranks as the earliest continental guidebook. He also published Dietary of Health 1542 and Breviary 1547. He probably returned to England in 1542. His imprisonment toward the end of his life may have been for keeping Òloose womenÓ in his quarters at Winchester.Ó -Encylopedia Britannica. Folger 21105. G. Smeeton, unknown