D. Gregorii Nazianzeni Orationes XXX, Bilibaldo Pirckheimero interprete, nunc primum editae, quarum catalogum, cum alijs quibusdam, post epistolam Des Erasmi Roter. uidebis. Basileae, in Officina Frobeniana, 1531, fo.
Thirty Orations of Gregory of Nazianzus, translated by Bilibald Pirckheimer, now published for the first time, whose catalogue, along with some others, you will see after the letter of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam. Basel, at the Froben Press, 1531, folio.
THE STUNNING FIRST EDITION OF PIRCKHEIMER'S EDITION OF GREGORY'S ORATIONS, TOGETHER WITH ERASMUS' LETTER, PRESENTED IN A MAGNIFICENT CONTEMPORARY FINE BINDING, PUBLISHED DURING THE LIFETIME OF ERASMUS IN THE POST-INCUNABLE PERIOD.
-------------------
This beautiful edition of Gregory's 30 sermons and Erasmus' letter was printed by the important Froben Press during Erasmus' lifetime in 1531. The binding of this copy is absolutely remarkable, contemporary to printing, though well rebacked, in a panelled manner. It's reasonably clear that this copy would have originally been an institutional copy as we find the title has been written on the fore-edge as typical with early library collections. We also find that this binding used to have clasps, now lacking, with the edge of the boards finely repaired in their absence, quite possibly as part of a chained library collection.
The text block contains some fine historiated metalcut initials, three of which are after Hans Holsbein (Hollstein 119, 123, 128). The type itself is beautiful, with wide margins, as one might expect from the Froben Press. A truly magnificent post incunable book, one of the finest examples of Gregory's 30 Sermons of this period in a beautiful contemporary fine binding.
-------------------
Gregory of Nazianzus, also known as Gregory the Theologian, was one of the three Cappadocian Fathers, who played a critical role in shaping Christian theology, particularly regarding the Trinity and Christology. He was Archbishop of Constantinople and is known for his eloquent theological orations, which are central to Eastern Orthodox and Catholic theology, and of course are of importance to many other Protestant denominations. The orations included in this book are among his most important works, dealing with theological, doctrinal, and pastoral topics.
The book contains 30 orations by Gregory of Nazianzus, translated from Greek into Latin. These orations cover a range of topics including the nature of God, the Trinity, the role of the clergy, and reflections on Christian life and conduct.
-------------------
Size: 220 x 333 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(1), a⁴, A-Z, A*⁶, B*⁸, Aa-Hh⁶, Ii-Kk⁸, (1)]
COLLATED AS COMPLETE. Contemporary very fine Continental binding beautifully stamped in blind in a panelled manner, rebacked, retaining some originality, but recornered, and some other repairs as pictured, notably in the place of the original clamps/ties or chain. Joints and hinges secure, with both boards securely attached, the binding secure, with a slight shelf lean but remains vertically stable. Some heavy wormholing to the binding, boards scuffed with some losses. The endpapers are early, reinforced in the hinges but finely so, perhaps original, but more likely a little later. Ink inscriptions to front pastedown and ffep verso, with two further to the head of the title page, one of which is very early indeed, certainly contemporary, probably of Humanist origin, the other dated 1839. Some sporadic small and neat marginalia in places throughout.
Minor early ink staining to foot of O6 in marginal blank space, not affecting text, dampstaining throughout the majority of the text block, not harming the legibility of any text, mostly quite light, but heavier in places. Some minor wormholing in places, again not obscuring the legibility of text etc, otherwise very nice through the text block, bright, and fully legible, collated as complete. Title written to fore edge. A magnificent copy of this very rare post incunable book.
[VD16 G 3082 ; OCLC 836848582].
