Herolt, Johannes

Chancery folio (274 x 195mm.), 247 leaves (of 248, without initial blank), [a-d¹⁰ e-n⁸ o-r^6.8 s-z A-E⁸ F-G¹⁰], 35-36 lines plus headline, gothic type, 6-line initial in red, 2-4 line initial spaces, red initial-strokes and underlining on first page, remains of a few index tabs, modern crushed dark purple morocco in period style by McLeish, earlier blue edges, occasional light staining

Library of the monastery of Osterhofen (Bavaria), inscription on title-page (dissolved 1783); Max Rosenheim and Maurice Rosenheim, sale, Sotheby's, 9 May 1923, lot 266; Albert Ehrman (1890-1969), bookplate and initials (not in the Broxbourne sale); W.A. Foyle (1885-1963), Beeleigh Abbey, morocco booklabel, sale, Christie's, 11 July 2000, lot 184

Goff H91; H 8517; BMC i 85; BSB-Ink H-123; GW 12326

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."

Herolt (also known as Discipulus, a disciple), a Dominican preacher from Nuremberg, was a prolific author of sermons. This was his first work, a manual for sermons dating from 1444, in which he details the Ten Commandments, the seven deadly sins, the six works of mercy, and the Lord's Prayer, among other topics; "the book concludes with a tabular index showing how various sections of the catechism may be rearranged to form well-rounded Sunday sermons" (Ian Siggins, A Harvest of Medieval Preaching, 2009, p. 293). It contains extracts from numerous patristic and scholastic sources, and proved to be a fifteenth-century bestseller in both manuscript and print; this is possibly the first printed edition, but the dates of the earliest editions are a matter for conjecture. This is the first edition listed by GW.

In his section about the seventh commandment, Herolt notes that a prostitute can retain her fee from secular clients, but any money from a priest should be restored to the Church.