Biblia Sacra, Ad Vetustissima Exemplaria Castigata. Quid in horum Bibliorum castigatione praestitum sit, subsequens Praefatio latius indicabit. 1571. Francofurti. [Colophon]: Impressum Francofurti ad Moenum, Apud Georgium Corunum, Impensis Sigismundi Feierabend.
A beautifully illustrated 16th century Bible from the famous press of Sigmund Feyerabend in Frankfurt, finely bound in full vellum with intricate blindstamped tooling to both boards, the front board depicting the crucifixion and the rear unidentified.
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This is the second edition of Sigmund Feyerabend's renowned and famous illustrated Bible, following the first in 1564. The 1564 first edition sold at Sotheby's 20th May 2014 lot 6 for £35,000 (GBP).
The illustrations for both editions of this Bible were commissioned by Virgil Solis who was the main illustrator for Sigmund Feyerabend's press in Frankfurt. After Solis' death, Jost Amman took over and used many of the original Solis illustrations while also using some of the drawings by Hans Bocksberger. Amman produced two sets of Bible illustrations for Feyerabend, one set for the first edition in 1564, and the second for this edition of 1571. These illustrations are of particular renown and there are some great books which discuss these illustrations and their significance, one example given at the top of the literature section below.
The illustrations to this edition were also separately published a few times, notably the earlier version of the illustrations in 1560. A set of these illustrations sold for £3,750 at Christie's in 2018, with some others from this 1571 edition held at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, USA. [2005.53].
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Size: 142 x 206 x 101 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[A1-B8, 423ff, blank (i.e. A1-GG8), 311ff (i.e. A1-Q7)]
Full blindstamped vellum over wooden boards, perhaps the original binding or very near to the time of publication. Lacks front clasps but retains one to the rear with the remnants of the original leather. Some discolouration and minor losses to the vellum but generally shows extremely attractively. Rear lower joint cracked with the rear board securely attached. Front joints split with the board a little fragile but remains well attached. First page when opened is the main title page and so probably lacks the front blank(s). Lacks one blank at the rear. Textually collates as complete with 423+311 numbered leaves. Page edges coloured red, dulled. Page edges are engraved with intricate tooling which are very complimentary to the binding. Some mild dampstaining affecting a few leaves with the text block mildly toned, else internally excellent. Main title page more heavily toned. Erased pencil writing to front pastedown and a scored out ownership inscription at the foot of the title page, now illegible but appears to be dated in the 18th century (?). Another ink ownership inscription across the title page just above the date, probably 19th century.
Literature:
"The Illustrated Bartsch: German Masters of the Sixteenth Century: Jost Amman", Jane S Peters, 1985, New York, Abaris Books
[Brunet I:921; BM STC (German), pp.124.] (describing the illustrations)
[VD16 B2759] (describing the first edition)
[oai:pbc.biaman.pl:47583].
