Pürstinger, Berthold

folio (293 x 197mm.), large woodcut on title-page depicting the devil demolishing the Church, eighteenth-century Netherlandish red morocco elaborately gilt, spine gilt in compartments, green morocco lettering-piece, gilt edges, early annotations in ink, eighteenth-century bibliographical note in Latin opposite title-page, last leaf slightly soiled with repaired marginal tear, binding rubbed, joints cracked, spine chipped and slightly faded

Van Paffenrode of Guelden, engraved armorial bookplate by Louis Fruijtiers, with motto "Per arma iustitiae a dextris et a sinistris"; The Law Society, armorial bookplate

IA 158.627 and Mendham E9 (both under Ebser); VD16 P2933

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."

Pürstinger (1465-1543) was bishop of Chiemsee but resigned his bishopric in 1526. This work of his, The Burden of the Church, published under the name of Ebser (a former bishop of Chiemsee in the fifteenth century), is a Catholic declaration of the abuses inherent in the Church, first printed in 1524 and reprinted twice in 1531; however, it was later placed on the Index of Prohibited Books.