![Geistliche Auslegung des Lebens Jesu Christi. [Ulm: Johann Zainer, not before 1478].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2013/NYR/2013_NYR_02706_0009_000(geistliche_auslegung_des_lebens_jesu_christi_ulm_johann_zainer_not_bef074821).jpg?w=1)
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Geistliche Auslegung des Lebens Jesu Christi. [Ulm: Johann Zainer, not before 1478].
2o (262 x 197 mm). Collation: a-x8 y10. 177 leaves (of 178, lacking last leaf with blank verso, supplied in facsimile). 94 (of 95) woodcut illustrations from 87 (of 88) blocks (8 full-page). CONTEMPORARY HAND COLORING, numerous woodcut initials consisiting of stems and foliage. (Some worming at beginning and end, first gathering reinforced along gutter margin, d5, v6 torn and repaired, i8 with blank corner renewed.) Contemporary South-German blind-stamped calf over wooden boards, upper cover divided into panels by quadruple fillet, the central panel filled with curved leafy stems, and floral and griffin tools, lower cover with central panel divided into a cross of St. Andrews, each of the four resulting triangles stamped with an acorn tool, the surrounding panels stamped with pomegranate tool, brass center and corner-pieces and two brass clasps (old rebacking). Provenance: Jorge Beristayn (bookplate) -- Acquired from John Fleming, 1962.
FIRST EDITION. A German devotional book of the Life of Christ, based on Ludolph of Saxony's (Ludolphus Carthusiensis) Vita Christi, and believed to possibly be the work of a female author. In addition to the Life of Christ, the work contains reflections and prayers and addresses religious questions. It was printed by Ulm's prototypographer, Johann Zainer, and illustrated with numerous woodcuts by at least four different artists, some possibly after engravings by Martin Schongauer. "The cuts are remarkable for an unusual beauty of contour, the careful cutting of the features, the distinctness of the folds of drapery, &c" (Fairfax Murray). The average size of the blocks is 100 x 90 mm and each woodcut is surrounded by a plain border, here colored in a bright yellow, to give the woodcuts a uniform appearance. VERY RARE: according to American Book Prices Current no copy of this book sold at auction in the last 30 years. BMC II:530; BSB-Ink G-63; Fairfax Murray German 110; Goff A-1399; GW 3084; HC 16108; Muther 110; Schreiber 3722. Fact and Fantasy 2.
2o (262 x 197 mm). Collation: a-x8 y10. 177 leaves (of 178, lacking last leaf with blank verso, supplied in facsimile). 94 (of 95) woodcut illustrations from 87 (of 88) blocks (8 full-page). CONTEMPORARY HAND COLORING, numerous woodcut initials consisiting of stems and foliage. (Some worming at beginning and end, first gathering reinforced along gutter margin, d5, v6 torn and repaired, i8 with blank corner renewed.) Contemporary South-German blind-stamped calf over wooden boards, upper cover divided into panels by quadruple fillet, the central panel filled with curved leafy stems, and floral and griffin tools, lower cover with central panel divided into a cross of St. Andrews, each of the four resulting triangles stamped with an acorn tool, the surrounding panels stamped with pomegranate tool, brass center and corner-pieces and two brass clasps (old rebacking). Provenance: Jorge Beristayn (bookplate) -- Acquired from John Fleming, 1962.
FIRST EDITION. A German devotional book of the Life of Christ, based on Ludolph of Saxony's (Ludolphus Carthusiensis) Vita Christi, and believed to possibly be the work of a female author. In addition to the Life of Christ, the work contains reflections and prayers and addresses religious questions. It was printed by Ulm's prototypographer, Johann Zainer, and illustrated with numerous woodcuts by at least four different artists, some possibly after engravings by Martin Schongauer. "The cuts are remarkable for an unusual beauty of contour, the careful cutting of the features, the distinctness of the folds of drapery, &c" (Fairfax Murray). The average size of the blocks is 100 x 90 mm and each woodcut is surrounded by a plain border, here colored in a bright yellow, to give the woodcuts a uniform appearance. VERY RARE: according to American Book Prices Current no copy of this book sold at auction in the last 30 years. BMC II:530; BSB-Ink G-63; Fairfax Murray German 110; Goff A-1399; GW 3084; HC 16108; Muther 110; Schreiber 3722. Fact and Fantasy 2.