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SERMONES DE TEMPORE ET DE SANCTIS ET DE DIVERSIS.
(Mainz: Peter Schoeffer, 14 April, 1475). 404 x 279 mm. (16 x 11"). Double column, 47 lines in an attractive gothic type.
Two neat ink marginal notes in a contemporary hand.
Goff B-436; BMC I, 32; ISTC ib00436000. Recto with thin three-inch reinforcement to part of tail edge, a few finger smudges in the tail margin, verso with one small, faint marginal stain, but an excellent specimen, otherwise clean, fresh, rather bright, with generous margins.
This is a beautifully preserved leaf printed by the successor to Gutenberg, taken from a book of sermons by one of the most influential Christians of the 12th century. Founder of the Cistercian Order, St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) espoused a mystical Christianity and a theology founded on love. A brilliant writer and preacher, he was given the moniker "mellifluous doctor," and became the confidant of five popes. Both Conrad of Germany and Louis VII of France were under the spell of his preaching and, moved by his inspiration, they departed for the ill-fated Second Crusade. Mainz printer Peter Schoeffer (ca. 1425 - ca. 1502) was both Gutenberg's chief assistant and later the son-in-law of Johann Fust (ca. 1400-66), who had lent Gutenberg money and then had taken over his workshop when the debt could not be paid. Fust and Schoeffer went into business together, and, after his partner died, Schoeffer continued to print into the 16th century. This leaf is a fine example of the clarity and elegance of his printing, which requires no embellishment to produce a visually pleasing page. (ST13174a)
Price: $275.00