Leonardus de Utino (1400-1470) – Dominican and famous Italian preacher
Sermones quadragesimales de legibus dicti
Printed by Peter Drach the Elder, Speyer, 23 June, 1479
Early fifth edition of the famous sermons by Leonardus de Utino
Scores of hand-painted lombards in red and green
With fine printer's device
Bound in massive wooden boards with newer calf spine
Dimensions of large folio volumes: 41 x 29 x 11 cm
Complete and largely well-preserved incunabula that is quite worthwhile collecting
Object is regular taxed. The 7% VAT of the hammer price will be taken off the bill.

This volume, printed by Peter Drach the Elder in 1479, is the early fifth edition of the popular sermons by the Dominican Leonardus de Utino (or Leonardo Mattei) from Udine, first published in Venice in 1473.

Illustration

Gothic type in two columns with 62 lines. Scores of hand-painted lombards, alternating in red or green. The initial spaces of the large initials are immaculate. Partly rubricated in red. Printer's device at the end. Dimensions of leaves: 39 x 27.5 cm. Text area: 30.5 x 19 cm. Margins: top 2.5 cm, bottom: 6.5 cm; right 6 cm.

Collation

348 (of 350) unnumbered leaves. The two blank half titles at beginning and end missing (a1 and T8). Text complete.

Gatherings: a-d10; e-h8; i-k10; l-z, A-H8; I10, K-T8.

Condition

Paper largely in very good and original condition. Few leaves with blemishes. Strong impression on firm laid paper. Largely well-preserved copy with remarkably wide margins. Largely clean copy, with slight but even browning in outer margins and with slight isolated finger-stained and soiled spots. With slight water stains and browning to gatherings at beginning and at the end, however, also affecting third part. The green color of the initials is slightly flocculated and faded. Minimal isolated wormholes. First two and last text leaves with rebacked blemishes in margins and in text area. First leaf with several larger text losses and laid on Japon. The other two leaves with just minor loss of text.

Binding

Original, voluminous wooden boards binding. Restored and with modern calf spine, with blind-tooled lines in the style of the time. Five double bands. Clasps removed, holes of fittings on boards still visible. In good condition. Book block and binding firm and stable. Wooden boards scuffed in edges and with various worm holes. Original wooden boards re-bound and with new leather in old style. Dimensions of large folio binding: 41 x 29 x 11 cm.

References

ISTC il00147000; GW M17919; Hain 16120; BMC II, 490; Proctor 2333; Goff L 147; BSB-Ink L 123; Polain 2475; not in Oates.

Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.