Alphonsus de Spina

Royal folio (390 x 275mm.), 159 leaves (of 160, without initial blank), [a⁶ b⁸ c-z⁶ A-B⁶ C⁸], 70-71 lines plus headline, gothic type, 2- to 10-line initials in red and/or blue, 18-line illuminated initial on a ground of red, blue and green, red paraphs and initial strokes, a few manuscript signatures, sketch of a horse in the margin of fol. xxv, eighteenth-century marbled calf gilt, spine gilt in compartments, gilt edges, some water-damage at foot towards end, binding slightly worn, joints cracked

Celestines of Castres (Languedoc, dissolved 1768), early inscription on first, sixth and final leaves; bought from Bohn in 182[9?] by Sir John Hayford Thorold, Syston Park bookplate, sale, 12 December 1884, lot 72 ("very fine copy"), £4-6s; William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899

Goff A541; HC 873; BMC ii 427; BSB-Ink A-452; Bod-inc A-224; GW 1576; Grosjean & O'Connell 1

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."

Alphonsus de Spina (died 1491) was a Spanish Augustinian friar. This treatise, on the fortress of faith and its defence against the enemies of Christianity, includes a chapter on the war of the demons against this fortress, and as a result was widely consulted by contemporary scholars discussing demonology. This is the third edition, following Mentelin's of around 1471 and Richel's of not after 1475. Koberger reprinted it in 1494 in a smaller format.