Caracciolus, Le prediche di Frate Roberto, Venice, 1488, half calf, manuscript endleaves

Robertus Caracciolus

Sermones quadragesimales [Italian collection] Le Prediche di Frate Roberto. Venice: Jacobus Rubeus, 10 November 1488

4to (207 x 150mm.), 94 leaves, a-l⁸ m⁶, 36 lines, roman type, contemporary half calf over wooden boards, single clasp, two lifted manuscript pastedowns (from an Italian twelfth-century Passionary), one containing part of a large decorated initial, a few small wormholes, binding somewhat worn, end of strap snapped

An Italian edition of Caracciolo's popular sermons; ISTC lists twenty copies in Italy but only four abroad.

Caracciolo (1425-1495) was a career preacher, starting in his early twenties, and he continued to preach across Italy until the end of his life. He joined the Observant Franciscans but did not remain within the Order. "Popular audiences loved and even worshipped him, but also learned humanists and high prelates appreciated his knowledge and oratory" (Mariano, Roberto Caracciolo da Lecce, Leiden, Brill, 2022, p. 2). His sermons also addressed the concerns of the day, predominantly of the urban masses, forming a public religious debate.

LITERATURE:

ISTC ic00157000

PROVENANCE:

"Di p. Ant.o Politi et suor[um]", early inscription at foot of second leaf; "Ber^no Bⁿⁱ nacque adi 22 di marzo 1540 segnato a [--]", inscription at end