Cyprianus, Caecilius

Chancery folio (311 x 218mm.), 183 leaves (of 184, without final blank but with penultimate blank leaf), [a-m¹⁰ n¹² o-r¹⁰ s¹²], 37-38 lines, roman type, 2-7 line initials supplied in red or blue, start of text with 7-line gold initial with contemporary Italian white vine-stem decoration extending down inner margin, unidentified coat of arms at foot within leafy roundel, early annotations, manuscript foliation, eighteenth-century vellum, flat spine gilt with blue morocco lettering-piece, blue edges, occasional light foxing, wormhole in text (quires c-d) carefully repaired with some text supplied in manuscript, slight dampstaining at foredge towards end, a few small wormholes in last few leaves

Sale, Christie's London, 12 June 2013, lot 71

Goff C1011; H 5897; BMC v 159; BSB-Ink C725; Bod-inc C-503; GW 7884

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."

Second edition of the works of St Cyprian (died 258 AD), issued shortly after the first edition of Sweynheym and Pannartz, published in January or February 1471. This edition does not repeat the preface by the editor but instead begins with a table of contents, with early manuscript folio numbers locating each of the letters within the volume.

The bulk of the volume contains Cyprian's letters together with some replies; because of the persecution of Christians by the emperor Decius, Cyprian had to flee Carthage and he sent letters back to his diocese until he could return. The final text in the volume is distinctly spurious, as it relates the tale of how King Pepin brought the head of John the Baptist to Poitiers in the eighth century.