Rodericus Zamorensis

Super-Chancery folio (300 x 207mm.), 128 leaves, [a-m¹⁰ n⁸], 35 lines, gothic letter, 2-line initials in red, two 7-line illuminated initials in contemporary South German style, the first initial in blue on a red ground with leafy extensions, the second in orange on a black and grey ground, red initial strokes and paraphs, book numbers in red at head of each opening, nineteenth-century crushed blue morocco gilt, spine gilt in compartments, gilt edges, early annotations, occasional light staining, last leaf repaired in gutter

Regensburg, Franciscan convent, early inscription at head of first leaf; extract from an English sale catalogue, no.845 priced at £1-15s, pasted to inside front cover; Frederick Perkins, Chipstead Place, Kent, armorial bookplate, sale, Sotheby's, 10 July 1889, lot 1846 ("fine and very large copy"); William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899

Goff R215; HC 13940; BMC ii 316; BSB-Ink S-59; Bod-inc R-084; GW M38455; Grosjean & O'Connell 98

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."

Günther Zainer was the first printer to set up shop in Augsburg, where he worked from 1468 until his death at the Charterhouse of Buxheim in 1478. His brother Johann worked with him until moving to Ulm in 1472.

The text, a popular devotional work by the Bishop of Zamora (1404-1470), was first printed in 1468 by Sweynheym and Pannartz. Zainer also printed the first German translation of this text (by Heinrich Steinhöwel) in c. 1475-76, with woodcut illustrations.

As usual, the final line of text on [f]8v, omitted by the compositor, was supplied in print by hand-stamping.