Multum in parvo, or, The pen’s gallantry : a copy-book containing twenty four sentences in prose, in alphabetical order, and as many in verse, each distick comprehending the twenty four letters, and many examples of alphabets : written in the curious hands now practised in England, and our neighbour nations : unto which is now added the best copies of court hand with instructions for every thing belonging to writin, by which any one of an ordinary capacity may learn to write without a teacher : also the rare principles of this art in a poetical alphabet, published for writing-masters to set their leaners / invented, written, and engraven by Edward Cocker.

[London] : Are to be sold by William Place at Grayes-Inn-Gate in Holborn, 1670.

1 volume ; 16 x 20 cm

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Great Britain -- England -- London, -- publication place.

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From dealer's description: "67 - COCKER, EDWARD. Multum in parvo. Or the pen’s gallantry. A copy-book containing twenty-four sentences in prose, in alphabetical order, and as many in verse, each distick comprehending the twenty four letters: and many examples of alphabets. Written in the curious hands now practised in England, and our neighbour nations. Unto which is now added the best copies of court hand with instructions for every thing belonging to writing. By which any one of an ordinary capacity may learn to write without a teacher. Also the rare principles of this art in a poetical alphabet, published for writing-masters to set their learners... London, William Place, 1670. Oblong 4to. (size binding 19,5 x 15 cm). Late 19th/early 20th century (?) full morocco binding (spine & edges rubbed). Titlepage, engraved titlepage, 27 unnumbered engraved plates, 8 pages of texts (signatures A-A4). (edges titlepage & engraved titlepage strengthened; edes of several plates strengthened; edges of text strengthened; top margin of text cut a bit short; some browning & soiling). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,400 An early writing book by Edward Cocker (1631-1675) who worked in London as an engraver, teaching writing and arithmetic. He also wrote poetry and was a skillful calligrapher with considerable artistic talent which enabled him to make a living producing copy-books. He was one of the best and most prolific writing masters of his time. Cocker was a superlative master of writing and of ‘striking’ - the name given to freehand flourishes and calligraphic figures written, literally, in freehand, that is, with the hand not resting on the paper. He was distinguished by both the quality and the quantity of his work. “He produced over 20 copy-books. A. Heal says: “he delighted to embroider the books with fantastic creatures, exotic birds... his knots and flourishes are wonderful pieces of exuberant penmanship. Although he published many works, most of them have not survived the centuries. The present edition seems rare, I have not found one with a definite date of 1670 in OCLC. [Not in Bonacini]." Ordered from Knuf Rare Books, D9727, 2023-04-05, Cat. "A list by subject of books available at Knuf Rare Books" NY Book Fair, item #67

272943