A Sequence for Candlemass Day; From the Latin of Adam of Saint Victor Translated by Digby S. Wrangham and Printed by the Clerk's Press
Cleveland, Ohio: The Clerk's Press, 1913. Limited edition. 12mo. (7 inches tall), stitched in original gray wrappers with inner front flap, printed label mounted to front panel, 15 pages. Fine. Item #1726
"THE TRUE LIGHT THE WORD FROM HEAVEN, / VIRGIN'S FLESH THE WAX, HATH GIVEN / TO CHRIST'S CANDLE, BRIGHT AS DAY"
Limited edition of A Sequence for Candlemass by Adam of St. Victor—"the foremost among the sacred Latin poets of the Middle Ages." One of only 100 copies, "Done into Type by Charles Clinch Bubb, Clerk in Holy Orders and Printed at his Press in the Parish of Grace Church, Cleveland."
France's medieval Abbey of Saint Victor produced three figures of note: Hugh of St. Victor, Richard of St. Victor, and Adam of St. Victor, "the most illustrious exponent of the revival of liturgical poetry which the twelfth century affords. Archbishop Trench characterizes him as 'the foremost among the sacred Latin poets of the Middle Ages'" Catholic Encyclopedia). Celebrated on February 2nd, the feast of Candlemas commemorates the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Candlemass represents both the purification of Mary and the consecration of the firstborn son, Jesus, who is seen as the "Light of the World." The name comes from the tradition of blessing candles during the feast, which symbolizes this new light.
The Reverend Charles Clinch Bubb was an Episcopal priest and the printer of The Clerk's Press. "To look through his publications is to see something of the taste of the printer who was a scholar with a catholic choice of texts to be printed" (Roderick Cave). A short "Forewords" concludes with a quote from John Mason Neale praising Adam of St. Victor as "the greatest Latin poet, not only of Mediaevel, but of all, ages. Indeed, Adam is worth any pains and all study." The text is divided in two: The Sequence: The Purification of S. Mary the Virgin / A Hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The verse (sourced from Digby Strangeways Wrangham's 1881 translation) is arranged in adjoining Latin - English columns. This copy is complete with a printed presentation Note, signed by Bubb and laid-in: "In accordance with the laudable custom which prevailed in England during the past century for members of various Booklovers’ and Publishing Societies to present to their fellows copies of privately printed books and pamphlets on some topic of common interest the Clerk takes pleasure in offering to ______ this copy of the Sequence of Adam of S. Victor as a remembrance of this celebration of Candlemass." Roderick Cave. The Private Press.
Price: $150.00