Lot 124
  • 124

Bible in German

Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 USD
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Description

  • Biblia, Das ist die gantze heilige Schrift Deudsch. Augsburg: Heynrich Steyner, 1535
  • paper, ink, leather
6 parts in 2 volumes, small folio (11 1/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 283 x 200mm). Printed on vellum, gothic letter, double columns, 52 lines, 4 handcolored title-pages (3 repeating the same woodcut border), one full-page and 70 vignette woodcuts (all handcolored), numerous historiated or decorative woodcut initials (most handcolored); "D. Marth. Luth." erased from title-page of Propheten, New Testament, and end of Daniel, early repair of lower margin of first title-page, leaves Þii and v supplied in early manuscript facsimile on vellum, occasional small vellum repairs (some with letters supplied in manuscript), some finger-soiling.  Seventeenth-century brown calf gilt, clasps present on the first volume, edges decorated with large red dots; some wear, upper joints starting, some chips at edges and corners, clasps not present on second volume.

Literature

Formatting the Word of God 4.2; Darlow & Moule 1499, note; VD 16 B2696

Condition

Condition as described in catalogue entry.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Second (first Augsburg) edition of Luther's complete German Bible; this copy, one of 11 surviving copies printed on vellum.

This printing of Luther's Bible was planned by Heinrich Stayner as an elaborate production with beautiful page layouts and numerous woodcuts.  it is believed that the vellum copies were printed at the request of John Frederick, Elector of Saxony. These vellum copies have an additional colophon at the end of the second volume identifying the artisan who handled the printing on vellum as Peter Aprell ("Jnn verlegunge Maister Peter Aprellen, Pergamenter"). Stayner published twenty Bibles or partial Bibles in Luther's version between 1524 and 1541.

The illustrations, with sixteenth-century handcoloring, are derived from several sources. Three of the title-pages have an elaborate woodcut border derived from the title-page done by Lucas Cranach the Elder for the first edition of the complete Luther Bible in 1534. This border depicts cherubim hanging a scroll against an architectural background. Most of the Old Testament woodcuts first appeared in a 1524 Bible by the Augsburg printer Simprecht Ruff. for the New Testament, Stayner reused woodcuts from an edition he issued in 1531. Twenty-one woodcuts in the Book of Revelation are copied from Hans Holbein, who was inspired by Cranach, who in turn was inspired by Dürer.

The notes are set in the textblock at the ends of chapters. Many of the notes from the New Testament survive, with few alterations, from the Septembertestament of 1522.

A superb edition of Luther's Bible printed on vellum and in a contemporary binding. Scarce.