Petrus Comestor (1100-1178) – important Frech theologian
Historia scholastic – book on biblical world history
Printed by Johann Amerbach, Basel, 25 November, 1486
Some old marginalia
Original, presumably Southern German late Gothic leather binding, blind-tooled calfskin
Dimensions of folio volume: 32.5 x 22.5 x 5.5 cm
Complete and in excellent original condition
Provenance: Saint Mary´s of the Barrens Seminary
Beautiful incunabula in Gothic original binding
Object is regular taxed. 7% VAT is added to the purchase price for deliveries within the EU.

The 'Historia Scholastica' is a book on biblical world history, which Comestor began with the Creation and which he continued up to the Acts of the Apostles. As sources he used both the bible as well as writings by mundane authors, especially those by Josephus Flavius on the beginnings if the Gospels. References from geography, cosmology, philosophy, theology, etymology, etc. form a commentary on the Holy Scripture.

Petrus Comestor, actually Petrus Manducator, was active at the church Notre-Dame in Troyes and used to sign as Presbyterian Trecensis. He was dean of the chapter and student of Petrus Lombardus. In Paris Petrus Comestor wrote his 'Historia Scholastica', which he dedicated to the bishop of Sens, Guillaume aux Blanches Mains (1169-76). In 1178 he retreated to the Parisian monastery St. Viktor where he died the same year. Petrus earned the sobriquet 'Comestor' (consumer) for his passionate 'consumption' of books.

Illustration

Gothic print in two columns with 46-48 lines. Partly in style of interlinear glosses, that is the insertion of comments within a column. Immaculate initial spaces. Dimensions of leaves: 29.5 x 20 cm, text area: 23 x 14 cm.

Collation

230 numbered leaves. The incunabula is complete.

Gatherings: a-c8; d6; e8; f6; g8; h,i6; k8; l6; m8; n6; o8; p-s6; t8; v,x6; y8; z6; A,B8; C-G6; H8; I,II,K6.

Condition

In excellent original condition. Clean copy in fresh impression, just slightly browned in places of outer margins. First and last pages with some worming. Few old marginalia.

Leaf a2 with hand-written numbers in upper left margin, presumably from 2oth century. First 4 leaves with blemishes in right outer margin, a1 with small split in right margin. Else no tears, defective spots or losses. Strong impression on form laid paper. Copy with wide margins.

Binding

Original, late Gothic leather binding, presumably Southern Germany. Blind-tooled calfskin over massive wooden boards. Round and rectangular embossing stamps in form of blossoms, dragons, griffin and banner 'IHS'. Four double bands, two intact clasps. In very good condition, restored in former times, genuine original condition largely preserved. Book block and binding firm and stable. Boards rubbed and worn and with some restored wormholes. Joints scraped. Dimensions of folio volume: 32.5 x 22.5 x 5.5 cm.

Provenance

On front pastedown with ex-libris of 'Saint Mary´s of the Barrens Seminary'. There also with ex-libris of Kenneth Rapoport.

References

ISTC ip00465000; IGI 7627; Hain 5537; Copinger 5535; BMC III, 749; Goff P465.

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