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Today, an old polonicum print published in 1570 (!) in Cologne by the Calenius publishing house and the heirs of Quentel.
Each volume contains over 1,000 pages and is in a huge Folio format (approx. 23.5 x 35 cm, 8-12 cm thick),
Interesting typography. All volumes contain numerous, large, ornamental initials in the text.
In addition, the volumes contain a woodcut with the image of a monastery scribe and a huge woodcut depicting the Crucifixion and the assembly of saints gathered around Jesus on the cross.
Laurentius Surius (translated by Lorenz Sauer; Lübeck, 1523 - Cologne, 23 May 1578) was a German Carthusian hagiographer and church historian.
His most important and still valuable work is the collection of saints' lives De probatis Sanctorum historias ab Al. Lipomano olim conscriptis nunc primum a laurel. Surio emendatis et auctis, the first edition of which was published in six volumes in Cologne in 1570–75. He started a second edition, which was completed after his death by his colleague from the monastery Mosander, adding a seventh volume (Cologne, 1582). A third edition with improved text appeared in Cologne in 1618; a new and revised edition was published (1875–80) in Turin in thirteen volumes. Surius was not short of learning, but he willingly took credit for great relationships. [Despite the liberties Surius had with the text of the manuscripts he used, his work did great favor and provided many stories about the lives of the saints that were published in various languages.
Piotr Skarga, writing his famous Lives, modeled himself on the work of Surius offered here. It is estimated that about 80% of the content of Skarga's Lives is a compilation of material taken from De probatis sanctorum.
Very rare!
No copies in library collections in Poland.
RENAISSANCE PERIOD HARDBIND, KNURLED FULL CALFSKIN LEATHER WITH INTRICATELY EMBOSSED TITULATURE EMBELLISHMENTS, AND IMAGES OF SAINTS. IN THE CENTRAL MEDALLION THE IMAGE OF THE CRUCIFICATION. SIDE CUTTING OF THE CARDS DECORATED WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK
The making of the binding can be attributed to the bookbinder MC, who was active in Poznań from 1559, or to Melchior Nering (d. 1587), which is indicated by the decoration of the facings. Arkadiusz Wagner attributes the bindings made at a similar time and decorated with the same knurling to Melchior Nering's workshop. Dr. hab. Arkadiusz Wagner - research and teaching employee at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, tegumentologist specialist. Author of numerous works on medieval and modern bookbinding in Poland and Europe, super-ex libris as a property mark of a book and as a work of art, the art of ex-libris in the 15th-21st centuries and book graphics in the 15th-21st centuries;
"Image knurling ornaments became a characteristic motif of the 16th century. The vertical motif, composed of portraits as well as architectural motifs and plant accents, was definitely different from the modest pistons of previous centuries.
testimony to the art of the Renaissance...
The knurl also introduces a certain systematics in the compositional arrangement of the cladding decoration. It was thanks to him that the order of the border and the mirror was clearly outlined, becoming a classic pattern for the next centuries. Paulinów at Jasna Góra in Częstochowa. Analysis of the composition and iconographic themes of selected pressings".
Cf.: Muraszko M., Nering's bindings of three prints from the collection of Wojciech Mieliński, Abbot of Trzemeszen, "Bulletin of the Jagiellonian Library" 2017, vol. 67.
See: J. Sójka, Nering Melchior, in: Wielkopolski Biographical Dictionary, edited by A. Gąsiorowski.
GOOD CONDITION/
thick paper, with clear and strong print, very bright paper in relation to its age, nicely preserved, apart from a few discolorations and traces of flooding; abrasions and minor fraying
GENERALLY A VERY EFFECTIVE AND NICELY PRESERVED COPY (450 YEARS OLD!)
Unfortunately, this copy did not stay on our shelves for too long...
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