OPERA

[Stuttgart: Printer of the 'Erwählung Maximilians', about 1486]. Fifth Edition. 282 x 196 mm. (11 1/8 x 7 7/8"). [131] of 132 leaves (lacking initial blank). TEXT COMPLETE. Double column, 46 lines, gothic type.
A contemporary binding of wooden boards backed with blind-ruled pigskin, raised bands, ink lettering to spine panel and front board, (original?) brass clasp with catchplate. Capitals struck with red, headline numbers in red, half a dozen or so seven- to eight-line puzzle initials in red and blue, and numerous smaller initials in red or blue. Front pastedown with large Jesuit bookplate; rear pastedown with woodcut ex-libris of "Siener" dated 2014. Frequent ink marginalia in two or three contemporaneous hands. Goff C-1014; BMC III, 675; ISTC ic01014000. Pigskin spine slightly darkened and a little scuffed, gutter open before quire R, revealing sewing guards of reused vellum manuscript leaves (nothing loose), intermittent light browning, isolated marginal smudges, but still a very good copy, with leaves that crackle when turned, and in a very pleasing original unrestored binding.

Annotated in multiple hands from the period and in its original 15th century binding, this is a desirable copy of what is believed to be the second book issued in Stuttgart, and one of just three incunables known to have been printed there. Our anonymous printer is named after his first effort, the "Erwählung Maximilians," or "Election of Maximilian," printed sometime after the coronation of Maximilian I as King of the Romans, which took place on 16 February 1486. BMC suggests that the identity of our printer could be Hans or Johann Scheffler, both of whom appear on Stuttgart's tax rolls around that time. Or it perhaps could have been Conrad Fyner of Urach, based on the presence of an identical "I" and two border pieces found both in Fyner's work and in the "Erwahlung Maximilians." Or another printer, someone who simply acquired types from Fyner after his retirement or death, could have been our guy. From a wealthy and educated pagan background, Thascius Caecilius Cyprianus (ca. 200-58) was a lawyer, orator, and teacher who converted to Christianity as an adult and gave away his fortune to the poor. He was eventually made bishop of Carthage, the place of his birth, from which position he exerted an influence far beyond his own region. He spent much time and effort mediating between the church and pagan authorities and among rival factions within the church itself; he eventually became a victim of the strife, losing his head during a period of government persecution. His writings refer to issues he had to deal with as a churchman as well as to principles of Christian conduct and points of doctrine. The large bookplate on the front pastedown of the present work contains the coat of arms of the Mainz Elector and Archbishop Daniel Brendel of Homburg (1523-82), who donated the book to the Jesuit College in Mainz. In addition to its special origin and significant early provenance, this copy features appealing contemporary condition, having been well cared for over the years..