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. Published by The Library of Congress, Washington, with an introductory essay by Edwin Wolf (1911-1991). Facsimile of the only known copy of the first book printed in the Philippines, currently in the Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection, Library of Congress, Washington. The Doctrina Christiana in the old Tagalog (Baybayin), 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. The scholars who wrote on the subject believe that a Chinese craftsman was responsible for the engraving and the press work.