BEDE, DE NATURA RERUM ET TEMPORUM RATIONE LIBRI DUO, BASEL, 1529, LATER HALF CALF

Folio (280 x 194mm.), woodcut initials, later half vellum over blue boards, modern folding box, occasional light staining, binding somewhat worn

"Mallarii", early inscription on title-page with motto in Greek; Bishop's College, Cheshunt (an Anglican theological college which closed in 1968), armorial bookplate dated 1915; bought from Jonathan Hill, New York, 1988

Tomash & Williams B122; VD16 B1439; USTC 615411; Zinner 1374

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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."

This volume, edited by Johann Sichardt (1499-1552) from an unknown manuscript, contains two of Bede's works, the first on the nature of things, based on the work of Isidore of Seville, and the second on the reckoning of time. Bede, however, disputed Isidore's traditional chronology, which led to him being accused of heresy for putting the date of Christ's birth in the wrong age. The calculations for the date of Easter had extra significance in England in the seventh century, as the Synod of Whitby had declared that the Celtic Church should follow Roman practice rather than its own traditional dating. "Bede's treatment of Easter brings together the study (one might almost say, the scientific study) of computation with analogical theology, historical learning, and the homiletic use of history. This well illustrates the integrated nature of his superficially diverse works" (J. Campbell, ODNB). The first chapter of the chronological work, entitled "Book on calculating or speaking with fingers", describes a system of finger reckoning (up to 9,999 on two hands, though rarely used for numbers over 100).