‎NIDER Johannes ( c. 1380 - 1438).‎
‎Praeceptorium divinae legis, sive Expositio decalogi.‎

‎ Augsburg, Anton Sorg, c. 24 May 1475, chancery folio (28,2 x 20,5 cm ) 305 leaves (complete, including the first blank leaf). 36 lines plus headline, some contemporary marginal annotations, large penwork initial D in red and green in contemporary hand. other capitals supplied in red.. Printed on thick crisp paper. Very fine copy notwithstanding a few really tiny marginal wormholes at the first leaves, and some minimal thumbing. Binding: contemporary blindstamped German calf over wooden boards decorated with cross-shaped fillets and small fleurons. Ink-titled iece of vellum pasted on the front cover with the title ''Fra(ri)is Joha(n)nis Nider sup(er) Decalogium''. Raised spine decorated with fleurons. Brass ciselled clasps and catches. Upper joint partly cracked but holding. The book has been rebacked in a previous century, clasps have been renewed too. On the whole still a good contemporary binding. Provenance: With the manuscript ex-libris ''Maioris Ursinensis Bibliotheca'' (monastary of Irsee in the diocese of Augsburg). The abbey and its library was completely destroyed in the Thirty Years war. Printer: Anton Sorg started his carreer at the monastery press of SS. Ulrich and Afra where he presumably acquired the '104 Gotic text type' used to print this book. It is the second book of his press and the first Augsburg edition of Nider's text. Author: Joannes Nider was a Dominican theologist who became head of the Dominican convent at Basel in 1431. He was twice elected dean of Vienna University. He played an important role in the pacifying of the Bohemian Hussite heresy. This praeceptorium is his most frequently reprinted theological work (in the 15th c.) and deals with theological questions arising from the 10 Commandments. It was extensively used as a handbook for confessors and preachers. GW M226907. Goff N199.‎

Reference : 59112

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