AUGUSTINE, DE DISCIPLINA CHRISTIANA, [COLOGNE, ZEL, C.1467-1470], LATER CALF, HIRST COPY

Chancery 4to in half sheets (204 x 140mm.), 8 leaves, [a8], 27 lines, 4-line initial in red, red initial strokes and paraphs, no visible watermark, nineteenth-century mottled calf, title lettered in gilt on upper cover

John Hirst, of Ladcastle Hall, Dobcross (Lancashire), sale, Sotheby's, 14 December 1887, lot 228, £2, to Rimell; William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899

ISTC ia01260000; Grosjean & O'Connell 13

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."

According to Francis Jenkinson ("Ulrich Zell's early quartos", The Library, fourth series, VII (1927), 46-66), Zel changed his printing methods in 1467; from this time his books have only 27 lines to a page, as opposed to 30-34 in earlier productions. This change is caused by the reduction in the type area of each page which gives each page more pleasing proportions.