Gansfort, Wessel

Gansfort, W.. Epistola adversus M. Engelbertus Leydensem [and other letters]. [Zwolle: S. Corver, between 30 July and the start of September 1522], 56ff., title within woodcut border, [NK 2201], a few pencil notes by Mendham
Gansfort, W. Farrago Wesseli. [Zwolle: S. Corver, 1522], 102ff., [NK 2202]
De autoritate officio et potestate pastorum ecclesiasticorum. [Zwolle: S. Corver, c. 1522], title within woodcut border, 16ff., [NK 157]
Gochius, Johannes Pupper. In divine gratie... Fragmenta. [Zwolle: S. Corver, c. 1521], 46ff., [NK 1012], pencil markings

5 works in one volume (works by Wessel bound last), 4to (200 x 133mm.), contemporary Cambridge binding of blind-tooled calf over wooden boards by Nicholas Spierinck, manuscript list of contents on inside front cover by Mendham, rebacked, lacking both clasps

Law Society, armorial bookplate

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Wessel Gansfort (1419-1489), theologian and humanist, spent some of the last years of his life in the monastery of Sint-Agnietenberg near Zwolle (for a book from their library, see lot 65). He was a reforming spirit of the fifteenth-century Church; he sought to reform abuses within the Church (including the sale of indulgences), and after the publication of his works in 1521-22, he was often likened to Luther; indeed the 1522 Basel reprint of his works contains a preface by Luther.

The tools on this binding are Oldham AN.f(2), a roll-tooled stamp of dragons and lions with the initials NS, and DI.a (3), a wide roll of quatrefoils in a lattice. More than three hundred bindings of Spierinck's are recorded.