[CAXTON, William (d. 1492), translator]. VORAGINE, Jacobus de (ca 1230-1298). [The Golden Legend]. Here begynneth the legende named in Latyn Legenda aurea : that is to saye in Englysse The golden legend : for lyke as passeth golde vale we all other metallys, so thys legende excelleth all other bookes. London: Julian Notary, 16 February 1503, i.e. 1504].

Folio (298 x 216 mm). Collation: a8-d8 e6 A-X8 2A-K8 2L10. 280 (of 296) leaves (lacking a8, F1-2, 2B3 and 2L2, and with a1-3, b1,8; P1,8, 2L1, 2L8-10 provided in facsimile). 55 lines, double column, black letter. Full-page woodcut, 5 criblé metal engravings, numerous smaller woodcuts in text, woodcut initials, some historiated. (O7 defective, lacking the outer half of sheet comprising one column of text, repaired tears crossing text on H5, K1-2, and U1, other smaller tears repaired, some soiling and occasional staining). 17th-century blind-ruled calf, large central arabesques on sides gilt, red morocco lettering-piece (recased, rubbed).

The first dated book printed by Julian Notary after he took the printing shop near Temple Bar, possibly the house vacated by Pynson. Some of the woodcuts were previously used by Caxton and Wynkyn de Worde, but of special interest are the five criblé metal engravings, probably of French origin, and some unusual initials after the style of Andre Bocard. Many of the woodcuts were made for Notary especially for this edition and of which appear nowhere else.

The Golden Legend, a medieval hagiography compiled by Jacobus de Voragine around the year 1260, was first translated into English by William Caxton. He first published his translation of this collection of stories about the lives of the saints in 1483 and his translation was one of the most widely-distributed early English-language works, running to ten editions by 1527. Caxton's translation is both distinctive and important for presenting significant portions of the Bible's text from both the New and the Old Testament, including an extensive life of Christ and many of the most famous and familiar Old Testament narratives, including the Creation of the World, the Garden of Eden, Noah's flood, the Exodus from Egypt (including the giving, and listing, of the Ten Commandments), and Solomon building the Temple.

RARE: Despite its popularity at the time of publishing, this particular edition is quite rare in commerce and very few copies of any pre-1527 editions have survived. Caxton's Bible translations are not found in all pre-1527 editions of The Golden Legend. No complete copies of this edition have appeared at auction in at least 30 years. STC 24877; ESTC S101014 (recording 8 copies in the UK and 5 in the US); Hodnett, English woodcuts, 1480-1535, 2082-2153.