Moriae Encomium: Or, the Praise of Folly. Made in English from the Latin of Erasmus.

ERASMUS, Desiderius.

Item Number: 133450

London: Printed for J. Wilford, 1735.

Rare fifth edition in English of Dutch Renaissance theologian Erasmus’ classic satire which influenced the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation. 16mo, bound in full calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, marbled endpapers, illustrated with 46 engraved plates after Hans Holbein, 6 folding, and 2 engraved portraits including the frontispiece of Erasmus. In very good condition. Small bibliographic descriptions tipped in, period ownership inscription.

Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and social critic Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus first conceived of Praise of Folly in 1509, written as a satirical attack on the Western Church. He later revised and extended the work during a visit with Sir Thomas More at his home in London with the title "Moriae Encomium, In Praise of More In Praise of Folly." The book became one of the most popular works of the Renaissance and Erasmus' sharp critique of the practices of the Church played a role in the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation.