Paulus de Sancta Maria

Chancery folio (273 x 195mm.), [a¹⁰ b¹² c-k¹⁰ l⁸ m-r¹⁰ s¹² t-x¹⁰ y⁶], 218 leaves, 39 lines, gothic type, 4- to 8-line initial spaces, early sixteenth-century blind-tooled pigskin over wooden boards (EDBD w002482, Augsburg, named the Widmanstetter-binder; one of the roll tools also used by the Augustinians of Ulm, EBDB w000059), two clasps, first leaf slightly soiled, [m]10 and quire [n] stained, lacking both clasps

Johann Albrecht Widmanstetter (1506-1557), signature on first leaf of text, his library bought by Albrecht V, duke of Bavaria; large engraved armorial bookplate of the dukes of Bavaria on inside front cover; Bavarian Royal Library, "Inc. Typ. N.995", sold as a duplicate from Munich, "Dpl" in pencil on flyleaf, around 1858; William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899 and his bibliographical notes in pencil on flyleaf

Goff P203; H 10762; BMC i 58; BSB-Ink P-47; GW M29974; Grosjean & O'Connell 85

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, previously issued by Mentelin [not after 1470]. Johann Mentelin was the first printer in Strassburg, the first town to which printing spread from Mainz. He had previously worked as a scribe and notary, and was directly connected with Gutenberg, who had spent time in Strassburg in the 1430s and 1440s. His first book, a Latin Bible, is dated 1460 by a rubricator, and Mentelin continued printing until his death in 1478. His business was continued by his widow and his sons-in-law.

Paulus de Sancta Maria (c. 1351-1435) was a Spanish Jew named Solomon ha-Levi, who converted to Christianity and became archbishop of Burgos in 1415. This is an anti-Jewish work which comprises a dialogue between the Jewish Saul and Christian Paul, written in 1432.