Augustinus, Aurelius

Royal folio (400 x 293mm.), 336 leaves, [a-e¹⁰ f⁸ g-r¹⁰ s⁸ t-z A¹⁰ B-C⁸ D-K¹⁰ L⁸ M⁶], double column, 47 lines (text) and 57 lines (commentary), gothic type, 3- to 10-line initials supplied in red, red chapter headings, initial strokes and outlining of sections of text, a few manuscript signatures, two pin holes, 2 stubs visible in quires [k], [D], [F] and [H], sixteenth-century blind-tooled pigskin over wooden boards (EBDB w004321, tentatively assigned to Buxheim), two clasps, fragments of a noted Missal with heightened neumes [Germany, second half of the 12th century] used as board liners, two clasps

Hilprand Brandenburg (1442-1514), of Biberach, inscription on flyleaf (in the hand of the Buxheim librarian) recording donation to; Charterhouse of Buxheim, inscription and library stamp at foot of first leaf (their library went in 1810 to the Graf von Ostein); Graf von Waldbott-Bassenheim, sale, Munich, Behrens, 20 September 1883, lot 3306

Brandenburg was a sacerdos donatus at Buxheim towards the end of his life. Many books are known to have been donated to the Charterhouse by him; Victor Scholderer listed 40, some of which contain his bookplate, not present in this book. This may indicate that the book was not a personal possession of Brandenburg, but was purchased by the Carthusians with money donated by him, which certainly fits with the subject matter of this book.

Goff A1239; H 2056; BMC i 52 (listing text and commentary separately); BSB-Ink A-853; Bod-inc A-525; GW 2883; Grosjean & O'Connell 12; Victor Scholderer, "Hilprand Brandenburg and his books", The Library, fifth series, IV, 150-152

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."

A BEAUTIFUL, TALL AND CRISP COPY WITH FINE PROVENANCE.

The editio princeps of Augustine's City of God is acknowledged to be the 1467 Subiaco edition, but this is the first to contain a commentary. The early manuscript notes are all corrections or additions to the text and were plausibly carried out in Mentelin's workshop; the hand changes in quires [s] to [y] and [B] to [C].