1653 Woman English Printer Gertrude Dawso

Publication Date: 1653

About this Item

[WOMAN PRINTER] [ANTI-SEMITISM] Eleazar Bar-Isaiah, pseud. "A Jew born." A Vindication Of The Christians Messiah, (Viz.) That Jesus Christ the Sonne of God is the true Messiah prophesied of, or foretold by all the holy men of God who were the Writers of the old Testament, from Genesis unto the Prophet Mallachy. As also proved out of their own beloved Talmouth. Wherein is also declared, the Coherence which the Old Testament hath with the New, as to that particular. As also a clear proof of the Trinity in Unity, (Viz.) That the Father, Sonne, and Spirit, are but one God. Against the generall received opinion of the Jewes. London, Gertrude Dawson, 1653. 4to., 18 x 13 cm., T.p. toned and frayed, last leaf with some toning and fraying. Complete. (10), 66 p. dedicated: To the Supreám Authority, the Parliament etc. Binding: Modern boards and half morocco. VERY RARE IN COMMERCE. No copies in the auction records since 1984. Eleazar Bar-Isaiah evidently served in the Royalist army prior to this treatise against the Jews that fits in the with the greater trends towards Sabbatean and Messianic beliefs, spurred by the tumultuous times of the Interregnum. It is recorded however that his conversion may have also been disingenuous and prompted largely by the love of a woman who refused otherwise to marry him. This is also a very interesting imprint by one of the more notable women printers of 17th century England, Mrs. Gertrude Dawson, who had an establishment opposite Half Moon tavern, Aldersgate Street, London. Dawson inherited the printing house in 1648 and demonstrated an interest in fine printing despite the increasingly commercial and cheap productions of the period. She inherited ornaments, such as a variation on an Aldine device form her husband, but also had herself cut a new font of roman type after taking over the business - something unusual and enterprising as she could have clearly relied upon the still functioning inherited typefaces. In that regard, it might be noted the rather charming detail that the headers in the tract are are unusual example that incorporates a little "bat". Seller Inventory # 59

Bibliographic Details

Title: 1653 Woman English Printer Gertrude Dawso

Publication Date: 1653