Abraham Vanderdoort came from a family of Dutch craftsmen, and first came to this country in 1609. His artistic abilities came to the notice of Henry Prince of Wales (eldest son of James VI & I), who intended to appoint him Keeper of his Cabinet Room. He became eventually the grandly titled Provider of Patterns of Coins and Master Embosser and Maker of Medals, and Keeper of Charles I's cabinet room, in which capacity he compiled this inventory. The original manuscript is now in the Bodleian Library in Oxford, but this fair copy was made for the King's own use, and his coat of arms and the date of the manuscript copy appear on the binding. Fifty-four books were mentioned as part of the cabinet room collection, of which three have been identified in the present Royal Library. The largest group of thirty-six books was on the Order of the Garter; other subject areas included medals and emblem books, and volumes of drawings including ones by Michelangelo and Gentileschi. 

Binding Information

Full leather bound in brown calf, with the coat of arms of Charles I surmounted by initials C R and dated 1639.