Herolt, Johannes Sermones super epistolas dominicales. [Ulm: Johann Zainer, ca 1479–1483]
A collection of model “Sermons for Sundays” by Johannes Herolt (ca. 1380–1468), a well-known Dominican preacher in Nuremberg. A book of this large size, relatively expensive, would have been purchased by bishops, cathedral chapters, and religious houses for the purpose of training preachers. This copy, unusually, retains the original chain with which the book was once fixed to a lectern in a library.
The tools on this binding are associated with a workshop active at Augsburg from 1479 to 1485 (Einbanddatenbank, w002758: Blüte frei II). The covers are decorated with a broad roll (r001279), narrow roll (r001280), and flowering shrub tool (s020749), also seen on Augsburg, Staats- und Stadtbibliothek, 2o Ink 617 (Antoninus Florentinus, Summa theologica, Basel: Michael Wenssler, 1485). Several tools are reproduced by Ernst Kyriss from a binding in Stuttgart, Württembergische Landesbibliothek (Biblia latina, Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, [1486–]1487) (Verzierte Gotische Einbände im Alten Deutschen Sprachgebiet, pp. 64–65 [workshop 77; Pl. 158]). In Incunabula der Staats- und Stadtbibliothek Augsburg, Ilona Hubay associates twenty-nine bindings in that library with this shop (p. 537).
Fifteenth-century bindings preserving the original chain rarely come on the market. We note only four in the past four decades:
§ Christie’s, 13 December 2017, lot 71: £11,250 (staple, 15 links; Turrecremata, Quaestiones Evangeliorum, 1481).
§ Christie’s, Vershbow sale, 9–10 April 2013, lot 8: $87,500 (staple, 4 links; Appianus, Historia romana, 1477).
§ Christie’s, Doheny sale (St. Mary's of the Barrens, Perryville, Missouri), 14 December 2001, lot 39: $44,650 (staple, swivel, 7 links, ring; Marchesinus, Mammotrectus super Bibliam, 1474).
§ Christie’s, Doheny sale (St. John’s Seminary, Camarillo, California), 22 October 1987, lot 55: $100,000 (staple, swivel, 12 links, ring; Petrus Lombardus, Sententiarum libri, IV 1491).
Folio (275 x 194mm). Gothic type 4:96G, 37–40 lines. collation: a8 (-a1–7) b–o⁸ p–q⁶: 117 (of 124) leaves (lacking first 7 leaves of quire a, of which the first is a blank). Initials supplied in red.
binding: Augsburg dark brown calf over thick wooden boards (285 x 206 mm), ca. 1480, paneled sides decorated with floral tools in an overall pattern, brass clasp with catch, plain edges, iron chain attached to top of lower cover (staple, swivel, 7 links and ring). (Extremities worn and restored.) Half red morocco folding-case gilt.
provenance: Nicolaus Tichnut (inscription “Iste liber P[er]te[n]et Dns. Nicolao Tichnut” on upper flyleaf) — “Num. 74” on endleaf (unidentified)— Antiquariat Heribert Tenschert, Rotthalmünster (Katalog 24, [1991], item 27, DM 38,000). acquisition: Purchased from E. K. Schreiber, New York, 1998.
references: ISTC ih00126000; BMC II 529 (IB 9218); Goff H-126; GW 12335; USTC 745705
Herolt, Johannes Sermones super epistolas dominicales. [Ulm: Johann Zainer, ca 1479–1483]
A collection of model “Sermons for Sundays” by Johannes Herolt (ca. 1380–1468), a well-known Dominican preacher in Nuremberg. A book of this large size, relatively expensive, would have been purchased by bishops, cathedral chapters, and religious houses for the purpose of training preachers. This copy, unusually, retains the original chain with which the book was once fixed to a lectern in a library.
The tools on this binding are associated with a workshop active at Augsburg from 1479 to 1485 (Einbanddatenbank, w002758: Blüte frei II). The covers are decorated with a broad roll (r001279), narrow roll (r001280), and flowering shrub tool (s020749), also seen on Augsburg, Staats- und Stadtbibliothek, 2o Ink 617 (Antoninus Florentinus, Summa theologica, Basel: Michael Wenssler, 1485). Several tools are reproduced by Ernst Kyriss from a binding in Stuttgart, Württembergische Landesbibliothek (Biblia latina, Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, [1486–]1487) (Verzierte Gotische Einbände im Alten Deutschen Sprachgebiet, pp. 64–65 [workshop 77; Pl. 158]). In Incunabula der Staats- und Stadtbibliothek Augsburg, Ilona Hubay associates twenty-nine bindings in that library with this shop (p. 537).
Fifteenth-century bindings preserving the original chain rarely come on the market. We note only four in the past four decades:
§ Christie’s, 13 December 2017, lot 71: £11,250 (staple, 15 links; Turrecremata, Quaestiones Evangeliorum, 1481).
§ Christie’s, Vershbow sale, 9–10 April 2013, lot 8: $87,500 (staple, 4 links; Appianus, Historia romana, 1477).
§ Christie’s, Doheny sale (St. Mary's of the Barrens, Perryville, Missouri), 14 December 2001, lot 39: $44,650 (staple, swivel, 7 links, ring; Marchesinus, Mammotrectus super Bibliam, 1474).
§ Christie’s, Doheny sale (St. John’s Seminary, Camarillo, California), 22 October 1987, lot 55: $100,000 (staple, swivel, 12 links, ring; Petrus Lombardus, Sententiarum libri, IV 1491).
Folio (275 x 194mm). Gothic type 4:96G, 37–40 lines. collation: a8 (-a1–7) b–o⁸ p–q⁶: 117 (of 124) leaves (lacking first 7 leaves of quire a, of which the first is a blank). Initials supplied in red.
binding: Augsburg dark brown calf over thick wooden boards (285 x 206 mm), ca. 1480, paneled sides decorated with floral tools in an overall pattern, brass clasp with catch, plain edges, iron chain attached to top of lower cover (staple, swivel, 7 links and ring). (Extremities worn and restored.) Half red morocco folding-case gilt.
provenance: Nicolaus Tichnut (inscription “Iste liber P[er]te[n]et Dns. Nicolao Tichnut” on upper flyleaf) — “Num. 74” on endleaf (unidentified)— Antiquariat Heribert Tenschert, Rotthalmünster (Katalog 24, [1991], item 27, DM 38,000). acquisition: Purchased from E. K. Schreiber, New York, 1998.
references: ISTC ih00126000; BMC II 529 (IB 9218); Goff H-126; GW 12335; USTC 745705
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
