Plenarium [German]. Epistolae et evangelia

Chancery folio (264 x 175mm.), 247 leaves (of 256, without initial blank), [a-z A-I⁸], 35 lines plus printed foliation, gothic type, 55 (of 57) woodcut illustrations and woodcut initials with later gilding and hand-colouring, contemporary south German binding, probably from either Dinckmut's workshop in Ulm (Kyriss 33) or by Johannes Richenbach of Geislingen (just north of Ulm, active 1467-1485; Kyriss 61), half blind-tooled pigskin over wooden boards with different roll-tooled decoration on each side (on the upper cover is a border containing vases and the letters KR with a smaller floral roll in the centre, on the lower cover is a hunting scene), contemporary manuscript signatures, later red initial-strokes and underlining, lacking 9 leaves (initial blank and quire [B]⁸), f.8 supplied from another copy, f. 2 torn and repaired with new section at lower corner and slightly stained at head, f. 105 torn and repaired with slight loss, small hole in f. 177 with slight loss of text, occasional light staining, a few small wormholes, lacking both clasps, binding somewhat rubbed; plausibly a made-up copy

early inscription at foot of first leaf; Brandenburg, early inscription on flyleaf; Dyson Perrins, bookplate, sale in these rooms, 11 March 1947, lot 679 ("two or three of the cuts coloured"), bought by Maggs for £50

Charles William Dyson Perrins (1864-1958) was a prolific book and porcelain collector; he sold his printed books in 1946-1947 in order to finance the Royal Worcester porcelain factory.

Goff E82; H 6733; GW M34141; Amelung, Frühdruck I 96; Schreiber 4961

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 rare edition of the German Plenarium, a devotional manual composed of the liturgical gospel texts for Sundays and holy days but here arranged for personal use by the laity; ISTC lists only 14 copies of this edition and two fragments.

Johannes Richenbach was one of the first German binders to use roll tools on his bindings.