Doctrina Christiana: The First Book Printed in the Philippines, Manila, 1593

Description

4to, one of 2,500 copies – RARE vi 52 pp facsimile [76pp] bound in publisher’s cloth with former owner’s inscription “July 18, 1947”. Facsimile of the only known copy of the first book printed in the Philippine Islands, Doctrina Christiana, which was printed from wooden blocks at Manila sometime during the year 1593 in much the same fashion as Chinese books had been made for centuries. In fact the scholars who wrote on the subject believe that a Chinese craftsman was responsible for the engraving and the press work.