Opusculum Reverendi fratris Guillermi Pepin sacre Theologie professoris Parisiesis clarissimi ordinis Predicatorum super Confiteor novissime per eudem recognitum et emendatum. Paris: Berthold Rembolt et Jean Chevallon, 1520, 8vo.
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THE CHESS GRANDMASTER AND BIBLIOHPILE LOTHAR SCHMID'S COPY of this second edition of one of the most influential practical theological works of the time concerning confession and penance, as well as numerous passages on usury, merchants, lawyers, the judiciary, etc, and, notably a section on gaming which features one of the earliest printed references to the game of chess in its own section (Tractatus secundus, part III, chapter VI).
This is an interesting imprint in the history of the book as it features the famous printer's device of Berthold Rembolt who had died two years prior. His business was continued by Charlotte Guillard, who, in 1520, married the printer Claude Chevallon, and this imprint is one of the earliest with their combined references on the title leaf prior to the new very attractive combined printer's device which also appears at the end of this book.
EXTREMELY RARE. The USTC records only four copies held institutionally worldwide with no copies outside of Germany and France. The other 1520 edition printed by Jean Petit was last offered at Morton Subastas auction 752 lot 353 (estimate $14,000-$18,000 USD). Livre Rare Book lists the 1534 edition for 6,500 EUR. We trace no other copies of this 1520 imprint in commerce, though a few examples of the many later editions.
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Size: 110 x 166 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[a-z8, A-L8]
Recent sympathetic binding, possibly a remboitage, incorporating early boards, attractive, boards decorated in blind, rubbed, but perfectly functional, rebacked, both boards securely attached, binding secure. Pastedowns and blanks are presumably original but are laid down on later paper, Lothar Schmid's bookplate to front blank with several pencil notes and contemporary ink inscriptions, another ex-libris bookplate to front pastedown depicting a witch. Text block generally clean throughout, toned, some staining to title and a few other leaves, some sporadic contemporary marginalia in a humanist hand (for example at the foot of E6r). A few leaves with minor defects in margins, else an excellent copy. Woodcut printer's device to title leaf and printer's device to final leaf verso, both extant and very good impressions of each. Collates as complete.
[USTC 184077]
