Bretke, Johannes [Bretkūnas, Jonas]

4to (7 5/8 x 6 in.; 193 x 152 mm).  With numerous woodcuts in text. First title printed in red and black, second title printed in black. Numerous manuscript annotations and provenance, in Lithuanian, German and English, from the late 17th century to the 20th century. Late 17th - early 18th-century German (Lithuanian?) binding: brown calf, four single bosses and two claps. Rubbed on the edges and spines, spines reinforced, claps restored (one supplied), endpapers renewed (probably in early 20th century). 

See catalogue description

We would like to thank Mr. Rima Dirsytė and Mrs. Agnė Zemkajutė from the Rare Book and Manuscript Division at the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania for their invaluable help in translating the annotations and provenances. 

Only edition of this rare Postilla, major work by the founder of the Lithuanian literary language, whose great bible translation is of similar importance for Lithuanian as Luther's bible translation for German.

A fascinating copy of the very rare Brekunas's Postilla with numerous manuscript provenances which reveal the exile route of a Lithuanian family: Among others, we can read the Lithuanian name Jurgis (George) mentioned and Lithuanian surname Jonaiten (from Jonaitis, which comes from Jonas, John in English). Also the surname Trumpa is mentioned (with the year "1861"). We can guess the family went abroad to a place called Nausseden. There's also the Lithuanian text: "Ieszkokite pirmjauš / Diewo Karalystes ir jo / Teisybeš, tai wisi szies / Daiktai jums pripuls". These lines are from Mt 6,33 [But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well].