Lot 13
  • 13

Bible. German

Estimate
1,500 - 2,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • A collection of 10 leaves from German bibles, 1476-1606, all folios with woodcuts (mostly coloured), comprising:
  • Paper
[5th German edition]. [Nuremberg: Andreas Frisner and Johann Sensenschmidt, between 1476 and 1478], leaf CCxii, red initials and initial-strokes, large historiated woodcut initial of Judith and the head of Holofernes with early hand-colouring, [Goff B628]
[8th edition]. Augsburg: Anton Sorg, 3 January 1480, leaf CCCXV, two large woodcut initials and a woodcut of St James with early hand-colouring, [Goff B631]
[9th edition]. Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 1483, 2 leaves, leaf XVIII, initials in red, woodcut of Jacob's dream, and leaf XLIX, initials in red and blue with red initial-strokes, woodcut of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God, both with early hand-colouring, [Goff B632]
[Low German]. Lübeck: Steffan Arndes, 19 November 1494, leaf from Genesis with two fine uncoloured woodcuts from the story of Joseph, [Goff B638; D&M 4185]
[13th edition]. Augsburg: Johann Otmar, 1507, leaf with uncoloured woodcut of Judith and the head of Holofernes
[Luther's translation]. Augsburg: Silvan Otmar, 1524, leaf CLXIII (d3), historiated woodcut initial of St Paul by Hans Burgkmair with early hand-colouring
[Zurich Bible]. Zurich: Christoph Froschauer, 1531, leaf F2, woodcut of the Passover feast with early hand-colouring, contemporary annotations in red ink, [D&M 4196]
[Luther's translation]. Wittenberg: H. Kraft, 1572, leaf 115, 3 woodcut initials, woodcut of Moses talking to the Israelites with fine hand-colouring heightened with gold
[Luther's translation]. Wittenberg: L. Seuberlich, 1606, leaf 121, woodcut at start of book of Samuel with fine hand-colouring heightened with gold, [cf. D&M 4214a], slightly browned

all within mounts

Condition

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."

Catalogue Note

A fine collection of illustrated leaves showing the development of the bible in German over 140 years. For a complete copy of Koberger's 1483 German bible, see lot 12.