1629 Lancelot Andrewes Christmas Sermon — Complete 10-Page Unit
1629 Lancelot Andrewes Christmas Sermon — Complete 10-Page Folio Unit
Lancelot Andrewes • London • 1629 • First Edition • Woodcut Initial
Sermon 13 of the Nativitie • Preached before King James I at Whitehall, Christmas Day 1619
A Complete Early Seventeenth-Century Sermon
Offered here is an original 1629 first-edition five-leaf unit comprising the complete ten-page text of Lancelot Andrewes’ “Sermon 13 of the Nativitie,” pages 119–128, from XCVI Sermons (Ninety-Six Sermons).
The sermon was originally preached before King James I at Whitehall on Christmas Day, 1619, and was subsequently published posthumously in the 1629 first edition of Andrewes’ collected sermons.
Bishop Lancelot Andrewes (1555–1626) was one of the most distinguished preachers and theologians of the English Renaissance and served as a leading scholar among the translators of the King James Bible.
The sermon centers upon the Christmas proclamation of Luke 2:14 — “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace...” and provides a remarkable example of Jacobean-era biblical preaching and theological interpretation.
Historical & Typographical Features
This complete unit is particularly notable for retaining its original sermon title page at page 119, together with the full text through page 128.
The opening page features a striking historiated woodcut initial depicting the Angel appearing to the shepherds, providing an especially appropriate visual introduction to this Christmas sermon.
The leaves are printed in the characteristic typography of early seventeenth-century English printing on handmade rag paper, with period marginal scriptural references and original catchwords preserved throughout.
Format: Folio
Approximate Leaf Size: 8½ × 13½ inches
Extent: Complete 5-leaf / 10-page sermon unit
Pages: 119–128
Printer: George Miller for Richard Badger
Place of Printing: London, England
Publication Date: 1629
Condition
Very good overall, with an important historic marginal paper loss noted.
The original paper remains stable, crisp, and fully legible, with strong printing and no loss of text.
Three physical leaves, affecting six pages in total, have historic loss to the lower blank corner margins. This paper loss is confined entirely to the unprinted margin and does not touch, obscure, or remove any printed text, marginal references, or other printed matter.
Visible historic tide-marking/light moisture staining is present along the upper and side margins of the leaves. This staining is dry and stable and remains confined away from the principal body of printed text.
The leaves are free of modern repairs and modern annotations.
A Remarkable Historical Survivor
This is not merely an isolated seventeenth-century printed leaf. It is a complete, self-contained ten-page sermon unit from the 1629 first edition of Lancelot Andrewes’ XCVI Sermons, preserving a work originally delivered before the royal court of King James I at Whitehall on Christmas Day.
For collectors of early English printing, Anglican history, the King James era, biblical scholarship, and historic Christian literature, it represents a tangible connection to the religious and intellectual world of early seventeenth-century England.
The condition notes above reflect observations made during examination; the accompanying photographs provide the collector with the opportunity to conduct their own assessment of the material.
Inquiry to Purchase
Please select the Inquire button and complete the inquiry form. Be sure to include the Collection Reference shown with this listing so we can identify the exact artifact you are interested in.
Collection Reference: AS-1053
Every page has a story. Every story deserves to be preserved.
Preserving History • Inspiring Faith • Connecting Generations.