Mammotrectus super Bibliam by Johannes Marchesinus, printed in 1485 in Venice by Gabriel de Grassis for Franciscus de Madiis in double column Gothic type, 8vo.
A rare incunable guide to understanding the Bible.
It explains difficult words in the Scriptures, both etymologically and gramatically, and provides explanations of the festivals of the Church year, legends of the Saints, and various liturgical texts.
-------------------
Mammotrectus Super Bibliam is a Latin treatise on theology and biblical exegesis, written by the 14th-century theologian and Franciscan friar Johannes Marchesinus. The title can be translated as "The Milker of the Bible," and the work is so named because it is intended to extract the milk, or the essential meaning, from the biblical text.
The Mammotrectus is a commentary on the Bible that was written for use in the training of Franciscan friars, who were required to study theology and biblical exegesis as part of their education. The work is divided into chapters that cover different topics, such as the creation of the world, the fall of man, the Ten Commandments, and the sacraments. Each chapter includes an explanation of the biblical text, as well as commentary on the interpretation and application of the text to everyday life.
The Mammotrectus was a popular and influential work in the late Middle Ages and was widely used as a textbook in theological schools and universities. Its accessibility and practical focus made it an important tool for teaching theology to the general public, and it was often used in sermons and religious instruction.
Today, the Mammotrectus is valued as a historical source for the study of medieval theology and biblical exegesis, and it is still studied by scholars of medieval literature and religious history.
-------------------
Size: 130 x 180 x 45 mm (approx.)
Condition:
Recent full calf binding rubbed with superficial scratches but generally very good with spine faded. Raised bands to the spine but without any tooled labels or gilt details. 39 lines and headline in Gothic type. pp.15 has 'Genesis' written in an early hand at the top as this leaf lacks the printed headline. Faded monogram ink stamp to lower margin of a2. First two guide letters in blue ink, presenting as from the incunable period. Contents to the rear of the volume with early ink page numbers added (e.g. Liber Genesis 1 12, Liber Erodi 12 17, etc). Some incredibly high quality repairs to leaf edges which are generally unnoticeable, most noticeable to the final leaf (silked) but in no way is it obtrusive. Some foxing to page edges. Generally without foxing throughout with leaves washed and thus presenting as generally near fine to fine. 218 ff (of 242) thus apparently incomplete according to the reference material, however it is difficult to see what leaves are missing(?), collation below.
[a1-a8], [b1-b8], [c1-c8], [d1-d8], [e1-e8] [f1-f8], [g1-g8], [h1-h8], [i1-i8], [k1-k8], [l1-l8], [m1-m8], [n1-n8], [o1-o8], [p1-p8], [q1-q8], [r1-r8], [s1-s8], [t1-t8], [u1-u8], [?1-?8], [v1-v8], [x1-x8], [y1-y8], [z1-z8], [8], [8], [10].
218 ff (of 242).
