Augustinus, Aurelius

Chancery folio (287 x 200mm.), 7 parts, part I: 76 leaves, a⁶ b–g^8.6 h¹⁰ i⁸ k¹⁰; part II: 82 leaves (final quire bound after part IV), a–k^8.6 l⁶ A⁶; part III: 58 leaves, a–f^8.6 g h⁸; part IV: 30 leaves, a⁸ b⁶ c d⁸; part V: 56 leaves, a–f^8.6 g⁶ h⁸; part VI: 254 leaves (of 256, without K6 and [3]A1 blank), A⁶ a–k^8.6 l⁸ m–x^8.6 y¹² A⁸ B–K⁶ A⁸ B C⁶ D⁸; part VII: 43 leaves (of 44, without final blank), a⁸ b⁶ c d⁸ e⁶ f⁸, double column, 52 lines plus headline, gothic type, full-page woodcut on verso of first title-page with hand-colouring (and slightly damaged), large woodcut on A1v of part VI with hand-colouring, 2- and 3-line initials in red, red paraphs, 9-line illuminated initial at start of first part with decorative border at foot (slightly rubbed), 9-line initial in blue with red penwork decoration at start of 4 subsequent parts, parts VI-VII with illuminated initial at start (one in part VI with small hole in gold ground with loss of text on verso), later vellum, red edges, first 2 leaves with small holes and repairs, a5 in part III and q5 and x5 in part VI with repair on verso obscuring some text, a few other marginal paper repairs

Goff A1308; H 2008; BMC iii 756; BSB-Ink A-892; Bod-inc A-556; GW 2920

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."

A complete set of these sermons of St Augustine, often found incomplete. It is the first collected edition, compiled by Augustinus Dodo of Frisia, a canon in Basel, who was commissioned by Amerbach to search the libraries of Europe for texts. It has been argued (but not proved) that the woodcut in part VI (including a portrait of Dodo) was designed by Albrecht Dürer during his time in Basel in 1492-1494.