A substantial and attractive early edition of one of the most influential encyclopaedic compilations of the medieval West, printed by Anton Koberger.
Bartholomaeus Anglicus. De proprietatibus rerum. Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 30 May 1483, folio.
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One of the earliest printed editions of Bartholomaeus Anglicus’ influential medieval encyclopaedia, printed by the most prolific printer of 15th-century Nuremberg. A work which sought to systematise the totality of contemporary knowledge across theology, natural philosophy, and the sciences. First compiled in the 13th century, the De proprietatibus rerum remained among the most widely disseminated reference works of the later Middle Ages and early Renaissance, circulating in numerous Latin and vernacular editions. Drawing extensively on authorities such as Aristotle, Albertus Magnus, and Bede, the work encompasses subjects ranging from cosmology and astrology to anatomy, physiology, and the natural world, including notable early discussions of the brain and its functions. Its wide circulation reflects its central role in the transmission of scholastic and natural-philosophical knowledge in the later Middle Ages. The present copy retains an attractive contemporary metalwork binding.
Rare in commerce, though well represented institutionally. A copy of this 1483 Koberger edition recently sold at Christie’s (28 January 2025, lot 9) for $17,640; an earlier edition (c.1480) in the preceding lot realised $35,280, reflecting the premium attached to the earliest editions.
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Size: 222 x 335 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[a6, b-c8 (-b1), d-f6, g8, h-i6, k8, l-m6, n8, o-p6, q8, r-s6, t8, v-x6, y8, z6, A6, B8, C-D6 (-C1-2), E8, F-G6, H8, I-K6, L8, M-N6, O8 (-O3), P-Q6, R8]
Contemporary heavy calf over wooden boards, probably bound in southern Germany (Upper Rhine or Nuremberg), c.1483-1500, blind-tooled with diagonal fillets enclosing fleur-de-lys stamps, with decorated roll borders. Large domed bosses at corners and centre, with surviving corner plates and clasp metalwork fittings (with losses), pronounced raised bands to the spine with exposed sewn supports. Binding rubbed and worn, some losses in places, with both boards securely attached; the binding is secure. Vellum endpapers and pastedowns reusing a c.14th century (unidentified) manuscript in an attractive Gothic script.
264 of 268 leaves, both blanks extant with some losses, lacking b1 (though remains partially extant), C1-2, and O3. Fifty-three lines plus headline in double column, two to three line initials rubricated in red and blue alternating throughout. Some fifteen small leather tabs mounted to leaf fore-edges as early reference markers, together with some sporadic contemporary marginalia, attesting to early use. Dampstaining throughout, most pronounced at the beginning and end, otherwise generally marginal and light, causing marginal spotting in places, pictured.
A substantial and attractive copy of this rare early printed edition retaining its fifteenth-century metalwork binding and clear evidence of early use.
[USTC 743261; Goff B137; GW 3409; ISTC ib00137000; Bod-inc B0641; BMC II, 425].
