Lot 29
  • 29

Bible in Latin

Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 USD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • A leaf from the Gutenberg Bible. [Mainz: Johann Gutenberg and Johann Fust, 1455]
  • leather,ink,paper
Royal folio (391 × 283 mm). A single leaf: volume I, fo. 198 (quire 20, leaf 10), containing 1 Chronicles 8:37-10:14. 2 columns, 42 lines; initial spaces. Handsomely rubricated in red and blue. The leaf includes a Bull’s Head watermark. Bottom margin of leaf bleached to lighten a water stain, edges of leaf red-stained from preceding binding.. Black morocco binding gilt-titled on upper cover (Stikeman), in chipped slipcase with reinforced spine; including A. Edward Newton’s accompanying essay, A Noble Fragment, 1921. 

Provenance

Unidentified German convent or church — Court Library of Mannheim — Royal Library of Munich — Robert Curzon, 1810-1870, 14th Baron Zouche, by descent to — Mary Cecil Curzon Frankland, 1877-1965, 17th Baroness Zouche (from 1917), sold via Sotheby’s, 9 November 1920, lot 70 — [Frank Sabin; Gabriel Wells] — Carson Brevoort (morocco booklabel)

Literature

Goff B-526; GW 4201; BMC I 17 (IC.55); BSB-Ink B-408; Bod-inc B-237. Censuses: De Ricci Mayence 34.53=78; Schwenke 37; Needham P18; Folter 45

Condition

Royal folio (391 × 283 mm). A single leaf: volume I, fo. 198 (quire 20, leaf 10), containing 1 Chronicles 8:37-10:14. 2 columns, 42 lines; initial spaces. Handsomely rubricated in red and blue. The leaf includes a Bull's Head watermark. Bottom margin of leaf bleached to lighten a water stain. edges of leaf red-stained from preceding binding.. Black morocco binding gilt-titled on upper cover (Stikeman), in chipped slipcase with reinforced spine; including A. Edward Newton's accompanying essay, A Noble Fragment, 1921.
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

A second leaf from the “Noble Fragment” copy of the Gutenberg Bible (see preceding lot for details).