Paulus de Middelburgo, Paulina de recta Paschae celebratione, Fossombrone, 1513, later vellum

PAULUS DE MIDDELBURGO

Paulina de recta Paschae celebratione: et de die passionis Domini nostri Iesu Christi. (Fossombrone: Ottaviano Petrucci, 8 July 1513)

2 parts in one volume, folio (308 x 208mm.), text in Latin with a few quotes in Greek and Hebrew, woodcut initials, xylographic lettered title-page, metalcut arms of Leo X in privilege on verso of title-page, a2 within a metalcut border with the arms of Leo X, b5v within a metalcut border with the author's arms at foot, calendars printed in red and black, A1 within a metalcut border with the arms of the Emperor Maximilian, A2 within a metalcut border with the author's arms, full-page woodcut of the Crucifixion on P5, woodcut printer's device beneath colophon, without final blank leaf, later vellum, occasional light foxing, e4 torn and repaired

FIRST EDITION of this treatise on the correct dating of Easter and the events of the Passion by the bishop of Fossombrone; liturgical calendar reform was due to be discussed at the Lateran Council (1512-1517), and on the strength of this publication Paulus was invited to the Council and became involved in the discussions that followed (see lot 192 for the published proceedings).

Ottaviano Petrucci was the pre-eminent music printer of the time, and this is one of his rare non-musical publications, printed shortly after his return to Fossombrone from Venice. It is generally thought that Aldus's typecutter, Francesco Griffo, was responsible for the typeface and the metalcut decoration, as he is recorded in Fossombrone in 1512; indeed this publication is known for the elegance of the typeface and decoration. The full-page woodcut, however, is not so well-done and was probably the work of a different craftsman.

LITERATURE:

Alden & Landis 513/5 (references to Columbus and Vespucci); Boorman, Petrucci 52; Edit16 34292; Mortimer, Harvard Italian 363; Sander 5470