Lot 6
  • 6

Astesanus de Ast

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Astesanus de Ast
  • Summa De Casibus Conscentiae. [Basel: Michael Wenssler and Bernhard Richel, not after 1476]
  • ink, paper, pigskin
Royal folio (388 × 290 mm). Collation: [1-910 1012 (Libri I-II, 10.12v blank); 11-1710 1812 (Libri III-V); 19-2810 298 3010 3110 (7+1 percepit) (Libri V-VI); 32-3910 408 (2+1 vidit eos) (Libri VII-VIII); 41-4310 (Subject index, table)]: 432 leaves. 2 columns, 61-62 lines. Wenssler type 2:92G, Richel type 2:94G. Initial spaces, two woodcut initials. Rubricated red and blue, of good quality (alternate red and blue lombards, red and blue paragraph marks, capital strokes; major initials with red penwork filigree). First and last leaves dirty and with marginal tears not affecting the text, marginal dampstaining and repairs. 
Contemporary German blind-stamped pigskin over wooden boards, brass catchplates, bosses removed, edges plain (Erfurt, Wolfgang Herolt). One quire bound out of order, the correct sequence indicated by early manuscript annotations, the top of the spine damaged. 

Provenance

Observant Franciscans of Dorsten, Westfalia (17th century: Liber bibliothecae FF. Minorum Conuentus Durstensis, anathema auferenti); Atkinson (bookplate); Mayer Sulzberger, 1843-1923 (bookplate)

Literature

Goff A-1146; Hain 1892*; GW 2753; BMC III 724, 737 (IC.37100); Bod-inc A-470 (with detailed contents); BSB-Ink A-797

Condition

One quire bound out of order, the correct sequence indicated by early manuscript. First and last leaves dirty and with marginal tears not affecting the text, marginal dampstaining and repairs. Contemporary German blind-stamped pigskin over wooden boards, brass catchplates, bosses removed, edges plain (Erfurt, Wolfgang Herolt). One quire bound out of order, the correct sequence indicated by early manuscript annotations, the top of the spine damaged, corner bosses of lower cover removed, damaging the pigskin.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Fifth edition of the giant confessional summa of the early fourteenth-century Franciscan Astesanus de Ast. Four preceding editions were printed in Strassburg by Johann Mentelin and Heinrich Eggestein, 1469-1474. Printing was evenly divided between Wenssler, who printed quires 1-21, setting to 62 lines per column, and Richel, who printed quires 22 to 43, setting to 61 lines per column; their source text was one of Mentelin’s editions. Both used the same paper stock. Richel printed woodcut maiblumen initials at the beginning of Liber VI and VIII. The binding of a copy at the city library of Augsburg is dated 1476.