SS. Patrum Qui Temporibus Apostolicis Florverunt; Barnabae, Clementis, Hemae, Ignatii, Polycarpi; Opera Edita et Inedita, Vera et Suppositicia. Una cum Clementis, Ignatii, Polycarpi Actis atque Martyriis. Johannes Baptista Cotelerius. Luteciae Parisiorum: Petri le Petit, 1672, folios.
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FIRST EDITION of this highly significant folio collection of the writings of the Apostolic Fathers: Barnabas, Clement of Rome, Hermas, Ignatius of Antioch, and Polycarp, edited by Jean-Baptiste Cotelier.
This important edition gave rise to the now-ubiquitous term “Apostolic Fathers” and is widely regarded as the foundational work in which these texts were first gathered into a single scholarly corpus, effectively establishing the field as it is understood today. The volume also includes accounts of their lives and martyrdoms.
RARE. A large portion of the edition was destroyed in a fire at the Collège Montaigu in Paris, rendering surviving copies scarcely encountered, particularly with both volumes. A most excellent example of this field-defining publication. A tall copy (~39 cm) which preserves generous margins.
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Size: 250 x 391 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
Uniform modern full leather bindings, red title labels laid down to upper spines. Bindings secure with all boards securely attached. Very slight shelf lean. Old blindstamp to title page/elsewhere, almost imperceptible. Text blocks mildly toned, a few handling marks, closed tears, some stains to volume two title page recto, small ink stain to outer margin of N3 (vol I), otherwise an attractive, clean copy of this scarce and important edition.
