Apostol.

folio (298 x 186mm.), printed in red and black, woodcut head- and tailpieces, contemporary blind-stamped calf over wooden boards, clasps, browning and damp-staining, binding worn, spine defective

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."

The Archpriest Mihail Strelbickij was in charge of the printing establishment in Jassy (now Iasi) from 1784 to 1786 and from 1788 to 1794. During this period his press published at least seventeen books, not only religious works such as the Apostol but also grammars and guides to learning Romanian. The Apostol is something of an anomaly however: the services of the Romanian Orthodox Church were conducted in Romanian, not in Church Slavonic, and the religious works Strelbickij printed were largely in Romanian. One explanation might be that the Russian army was in occupation of Jassy at the time; the book is dedicated to Prince Grigorii A. Potemkin, one of the Russian commanders under whose protection Strelbickij's printing house operated.