Ludolphus de Saxonia (1300-1378) – German theologian and adherent of mysticism
Vita Christi. – Famous treatise on the history of religious faith
Printed by Anton Koberger, Nuremberg, 20 December, 1478
Incunabula with unusually rich book decoration
Three pages with magnificent illuminated and gilt-heightened initials and borders
Hundreds of hand-painted initials in red and blue
Blind-tooled 16th/17th century pigskin binding
Dimensions of large folio volume: 38 x 29 x 8,3 cm
Complete copy in very good condition
Provenance: Nuremberg parish, 1676
A unique and very valuable incunabula, especially for its splendid book decoration
Object is regular taxed. The 7% VAT of the hammer price will be taken off the bill.

This volume comprises the first edition of this monumental print made by Koberger. 'Vita Christi' is the main work of Ludolphus de Saxonia, which he wrote in 1374. His work was of decisive influence for the development of techniques of Christian meditation and the practice of prayer. 'Vita Christi' is not just a biography of the Lord as we conceive it today, in fact it is a capacious work on religious belief and its history. It comprises a commentary on the Gospels, a number of dogmatic and moralistic dissertations, spiritual instructions, meditations and prayers, in terms of the life of Christ it covers the period from his birth until Resurrection. The two parts comprise 92 and 89 chapters respectively.

Illustration

Gothic type in two columns with 61 lines and chapter headings. Hundreds of hand-painted initials in red and blue. Consistently rubricated in red and blue. Colophon on verso of last leaf.

This copy contains three magnificently illuminated pages, each with a large splendid initial in sheet gold, red, green and blue with tendrils extending into the text. Characteristic Koberger book paintings with chiseled gilt-heightened parts.

1. Leaf a1: Initial 'F', 6.5 x 5.5 cm, gold initial with chasing (flower ornamentation) on blue ground with filigree arch ornamentation in white. With border in green, red, purple. Floral tendrils with gold dots (extending by 15 cm).

2. Leaf a4: Initial 'D', 9 x 9 cm, blue initial on gold ground. Floral tendrils (extending by 13 cm). With a golden stave between the columns over the full page, which is joined by a floral tendril over full width at the bottom. Unfortunately, the tendril is trimmed.

3. Leaf A4: Initial 'P', 6 x 5 cm, gold initial with chasing (flower ornamentation) on blue ground with filigree arch ornamentation in white. With extending border in green, red and purple. Floral tendrils with gold dots (extending by 12 cm).

Dimensions of leaves: 37.5 x 27 cm, text area: 34.5 x 21 cm.

Collation

372 unnumbered leaves. The incunabula is absolutely complete.

Gatherings: a-m8; n6; o-z8; $6; A-Z8.

Condition

In very good condition. Strong and clean print as well as firm laid paper which makes a wonderful sound when turning the pages. Trimmed at three sides, cropped close in places of upper margin. Splendid border slightly trimmed in lower margin. Isolated old hand-written marginalia and underscored as well as 'hands'. Last two text leaves browned and stained as well as with blemishes, defective spots and worm tracks in margin and text, rebacked in former times. Accordingly, the text is affected by some small defects. Else paper in mint condition without blemishes or tears. First three leaves finger-stained and with slight water stains in upper margin. Some blue initials rubbed and flocculated. First leaf with hand-written ownership entry and notations from the 17th century.

Binding

16th/17th century blind-tooled pigskin binding. Rich roll-tooling in 5 borders (among them saints and scholar rolls with Erasmus). Four raised bands. Edges sprinkled in red. Presumably bound into this binding and trimmed in the 17th century (remboitage). Book block firm and stable. Boards rubbed and stained in places, corners scuffed. Spine and joints restored in former times. Dimensions of large folio volume: 38 x 29 x 8.3 cm.

Provenance

Nuremberg parish, 1676. Hand-written ownership notes on three leaves: 'Conventus Norem(berg)ecclesiensis'. Leaf a1 dated 1676 by the same hand. It can be assumed that the parish purchased the book from Koberger and that he had the book decorations made for the parish by his publishing house. It seems the work was rebound into this binding and trimmed after 1676.

Collection Joost R. Ritman, ex-libris of Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica on front pastedown.

References

ISTC il00339000; GW M19215; Hain 10292; BMC II, 417; Goff L-339; IGI 5872.

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