Dated 1536 and printed in Antwerp, a defective copy of what is known as the ‘mole’ edition of Tyndale’s Newe Testament – so called from the mole (or perhaps hedgehog) depicted on a stone on which St Paul’s foot is resting in one of the many woodcut illustrations – made £30,000 in a recent London sale.
One of the highlights of a November 28 sale held by Chiswick Auctions (25% buyer’s premium), this ‘Once agyane Corrected’ edition in a rebacked 17th century binding of mottled calf lacked 48 leaves in all, was somewhat stained and browned and bore a few small library stamps (a spread is shown left).