Tag: early dutch book

April 28, 2011

PRINTED 1517: An Extremely Rare and Influential Low German ‘Golden Legend’

So named because the people of the time considered it worth its weight in gold.

Few works have had a more profound impact on the art and literature of so many nations

Over 200 SPLENDID WOODCUTS

[LOW GERMAN HAGIOGRAPHY] [Based on Voragine, Jacobus de, 1230?-98] Passionael efte dat levent der hyllighen to düde, uth dem latino : Mit velen nyen hystorien und leren, de beth heer to den mynschen vordunkert und vorborghen sint ghewezen: unde nu up dat nye … in dat lycht ghebracht. [Basel] : [Adam Petri], [1517]. Wanting Colophon which reads … Geendighet vñ gedrückt dorch dat beuel Adã Petri börger dat[sic] stadt Basel. Anno. M.d.xvij. Numerous errors in foliation, wanting full page woodcut of the Crucifixion on verso of t.p. signed with the monogram of Hans Schäufelein. 2 VOLS in 1; Incomplete. Vol I: [- 4], [XXXI- CCLXIIII of CCLXIIII]; Vol II: [CXLIIII of CCLVIII], some pagination errors and thus difficult to collate, 4to., 28.5 cm., disbound, prelim lvs. loose, restiching required, c. 18th century marbled pasteboards, some browning and staining as depicted, some woodcuts and pages with loss, some woodcuts partially excised or censored due to religious and political sensibilities. Overall, a fascinating torso of an extremely rare Low German Hagiography with over 200 woodcuts, largely attributed to the Grüninger workshop , with chapter headpieces attributed to Urs Graf. Only 1 copy has appeared in 30 years of the American auction records. Copies of the Legenda aurea or Passionael in vernacular tongues are extremely sort after for their influence on language, art, and literature of the period and are far rarer than their Latin counterparts.  [SOLD]

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posted in: Rare Books