First edition of the first official Dutch Reformed Protestant martyrologium, composed by Abraham Mellinus (ca. 1580-1622). Born at Vlissingen, Mellinus studied at Leyden and became Minister at St. Anthonispolder and Cellartshoek. The present "first" volume of his "History of Christian Martyrs" runs to 1520, it is the only volume ever published. It was dedicated by the author to Prince Maurits of Orange and to the Synode of Dordrecht, who both rewarded the author with a good sum of money. The work showed great learning and was at the time much praised. The author planned to write a second volume but he died before this was really started. In 1622 Balthasar Lydius, Minister at Dordrecht, then was ordered to write the second volume but he also died, so a second volume never appeared. Mellinus' Martyrologium especially enraged the Roman Catholics.
With the bookplate of Paul Hildebrandt mounted on the front paste-down and an ownership stamp and inscription of "Ds. H.C. Hopkins, militêre kamp, Wynberg, K., 31. 8. 1965." on the recto of the first flyleaf. The binding shows clear signs of wear, the leather around the corners of the boards is somewhat damaged, showing the paperboard beneath, some loss of material at the head and foot of the spine. Internally fine and clean, except for some very slight thumbing at the start of the work and a tear in one leaf. Otherwise in good condition. Bibl. Belg., M. 317; De la Rue, p. 225; De Wind, p. 502; Knuttel, Ned. Bibliogr. Kerkgesch., p. 215; NNBW, VII, col. 858; STCN 83335423X (8 copies); USTC 1028377 (9 copies, incl. 7 also in STCN).