Breviloquium Saint Bonaventure. Gregorius Böttiger 1495. Rare.

Description: BONAVENTURA (1221-1274). Breviloquium. Gregorius Böttiger [Leipzig, circa 1495]. DESCRIPTION: Chancery 4to (8 x 6 inches, 200 x 157 mm). 89 leaves of 90, lacking a1 title, 32 lines. Capital spaces with printed guide letters. Some initials, capital strokes and paragraph marks in red. 16th-century vellum binding with appropriate wear and soiling for age. Lacking ties. Unusually bold, sharp, elegant printing and typeface. CONDITION: C2 with upper margin repair just touching a few letters, a few other leaves with old marginal paper repairs, small wormtrack to the first few leaves barely touching text letters, final leaf with inkburn with old repairs to upper margin, touching a few letters (see final two photos). DISCUSSION: The Breviloquium has considerable historical significance. It was written by St. Bonaventure in 1257 and it is one of his principal theological works, a handbook of sorts, summarizing many of the important concepts of medieval theology. This is Bonaventure's comprehensive presentation of Christian doctrine in a form suitable for instructional purposes, presenting Christian doctrine to young friars who were entering the order without a large background of theological training. The Breviloquium was first published either in Nuremberg by Johann Sensenschmidt of Eger in 1472 or by Arnold Ther Hoermen in Cologne, ca. 1472. Despite its theological importance in understanding medieval Catholicism, incunabular editions of the Breviloquium are exceedingly rare. The ISTC (Incunabula Short Title Catalogue) locates only 17 copies of this particular edition, of which only two (including this one) are located in the United States. Only two copies of the Breviloquium have appeared at auction over the past 50 years. A beautifully printed incunabular work of historical importance and extreme rarity. Please examine all photographs carefully and ask all questions prior to purchase as sale is final.

Price: 3800 USD

Location: Peoria, Illinois

End Time: 2025-01-30T18:33:14.000Z

Shipping Cost: 25 USD