Conclusion

This edition of Edmund Spenser’s The Fairie Queene provides an excellent example of late 16^th century printing and publishing with a simple layout.  The quarto style seen in manuscripts is continued in the printing as is the use of a single column style.  Unlike manuscripts, this book has no color, no elaborate pictures or letters but presents the poetry to be enjoyed as it is. The bonus to this particular edition is the added poetry in handwriting. One owner decided to add a little personal poem and it is still quite readable. 

For a history buff, researching the history of England during the time of Spenser, Queen Elizabeth, Raleigh and the Spanish Armada is a trip down memory lane.  So many things happened for England during that time frame to turn her into an emerging world power, with the poets, writers and other artisans doing their share as well.  Unfortunately, they often do not get noticed for the great impact works such as The Fairie Queene make on the world.

Overall, the research for this blog has taken twists and turns not expected when originally planned.  Holding and reading a four centuries old book, reading handwriting that might be almost as old and learning about the struggles of Edmund Spenser to achieve his desires  all lend new perspective to a book that many people might simply see as an “old, musty, book”.   Louisiana State University is lucky to own such an incredible copy and I am grateful to be allowed to use it.