Bible. German.

2 volumes, Royal folio (396 x 282mm.), 582 leaves (of 586), 50 lines plus headlines, double column, Gothic letter, 3- to 8-line initial spaces, initials in red and blue and red initial-strokes supplied in vol.2 only, two initials on [Q]2 illuminated, woodcut illustrations with contemporary hand-colouring, uniform eighteenth-century calf, spines gilt in compartments with crest, some early annotations, lacking text leaf [ii]2 and blanks [p]6, [Q]1 and [FF]6, some leaves torn without loss but affecting text (some repaired), a few leaves becoming detached, small hole in [f]1, [o]1 and [t]1 with slight loss to woodcuts and text, occasional slight staining or soiling, extremities rubbed

H 3137; GW 4303; BMC ii 424; Goff B632; Fairfax Murray, German 63

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."

This is the first German Bible to be printed in Nuremberg, and it reuses some woodcuts originally employed in Heinrich Quentell's Bible printed in Cologne in c. 1480. The print run must have been quite substantial, perhaps as many as 1,500 copies, as ISTC lists well over 200 surviving, in varying states of completeness.