Lot 34
  • 34

Bible in Latin

Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Bible, Latin. Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 16 November 1475
  • leather,ink,paper
Royal folio (401 × 288 mm). Collation: [1-810 9-108 (Octateuch); 11-2310 24-258 (Kings, Chronicles, 1-4 Ezra, Tobit, Judith, Esther, Job, Psalms); 26-3810 3912 (Proverbs-Ecclesiasticus, Major and Minor Prophets, Maccabees); 40-4810 496 (+5*: quoniam vna hora) (New Testament, colophon 49/6r, verso blank)]: 481 leaves. In this copy the conjugate of the inserted leaf 24/5* is preserved as a full blank leaf intervening between 24/1 and 2. It was intended to be cut away to a stub, and so is not counted in the collation. Two columns, 48 lines. Initial spaces, rubricated red (irregularly, chapter initials stop being added in Numbers, headlines stop in Joshua, Psalms entirely unrubricated). Contemporary pink leather binding, the covers seemingly impressed with a single large block of floral pattern, and the edges correspondingly painted in green with a floral pattern, two fore-edge catchplates with a rosette pattern, the binding badly worn and wormed, spine rebacked with sheep, upper cover loose. Worming continues to leaves at front and back.

Provenance

Benedictines of Lambach, with deleted inscription “Monasterij […]”, and equally deleted black ink oval stamp “ad bibliothec: monast: [lambacens:]”

Literature

Formatting the Word of God 2.3a; Goff B-543; GW 4218; BMC I I 413 (IC.7131); BSB-Ink B-420; Bod-inc B-252

Condition

Royal folio (401 × 288 mm). Collation: [1-810 9-108 (Octateuch); 11-2310 24-258 (Kings, Chronicles, 1-4 Ezra, Tobit, Judith, Esther, Job, Psalms); 26-3810 3912 (Proverbs-Ecclesiasticus, Major and Minor Prophets, Maccabees); 40-4810 496 (+5*: quoniam vna hora) (New Testament, colophon 49/6r, verso blank)]: 481 leaves. In this copy the conjugate of the inserted leaf 24/5* is preserved as a full blank leaf intervening between 24/1 and 2. It was intended to be cut away to a stub, and so is not counted in the collation. Two columns, 48 lines. Initial spaces, rubricated red (irregularly, chapter initials stop being added in Numbers, headlines stop in Joshua, Psalms entirely unrubricated). Contemporary pink leather binding, the covers seemingly impressed with a single large block of floral pattern, and the edges correspondingly painted in green with a floral pattern, two fore-edge catchplates with a rosette pattern, the binding badly worn and wormed, spine rebacked with sheep, upper cover loose. Worming continues to leaves at front and back.
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

The first of six Vulgate Bible editions in Royal folio format printed by Koberger from 1475 to 1480. Its contents including prologues are exactly those of the Gutenberg Bible and its immediate descendants, though Koberger’s specific source has not been identified.