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OPERA OMNIA QUAE EXTANT.
(Lvgd. Batavorvm [Leyden]: Ex Officina Elzeviriana, 1643). 132 x 75 mm. (5 1/4 x 3"). 1 p.l., [3]-312, 315-329, [9] pp. Second Elzevier Edition.
FINE CONTEMPORARY BURGUNDY MOROCCO, covers with gilt triple ruled border, spine gilt in compartments with broad and stippled bands, fleuron cornerpieces, and floral centerpiece, marbled endpapers, turn-ins and all edges gilt. Woodcut initials, headpieces, and tailpiece, engraved title page depicting St. Martin slicing his cloak in two with his sword to share with the beggar. Front pastedown with a cardinal's large (17th century?) engraved armorial bookplate (rotated and trimmed to fit). Front pastedown and free endpaper with the morocco bookplates of Mortimer L. Schiff and of H. V. Ingram, respectively. Initial blank and last leaf each with small ownership stamp, that at rear of C. H. F. Curnillon, that at front hard to decipher, though perhaps reading "EBH." Willems 560; Rahir 552. ◆A few instances of light foxing and other trivial imperfections internally, but A REMARKABLY WELL-PRESERVED COPY, the binding bright and scarcely worn, and the text very fresh and clean, with virtually no signs of use.
This is a most appealing little book containing the works of Severus, the fourth century ecclesiastical historian who gave up great wealth in exchange for Christian seclusion and holy exercises and who became an ardent follower of St. Martin of Tours. Our volume includes Severus' most famous work, his "Life of St. Martin," with its unforgettable pictures of this much venerated saint whose compassionate life includes the famous episode in which Martin cuts his cloak in half to share it with a beggar. Along with the "Life" are the "Dialogi Duo," which contains a reasoned review of the then prevailing bitter ecclesiastical feuds and provides information about these controversies not supplied from any other source. Also included is Severus' "Sacred History," a less original work summarizing events from creation to his own day, but one much used in the Middle Ages, when the author's correct and limpid Latin was greatly admired. Willems says this is the second Elzevier edition, containing the same material as the 1638 edition, but with the added continuation of the sacred history by Johannes Sleidanus (1506-56); Willems adds that the printing is "beautifully executed." This is a particularly lovely copy with distinguished provenance: it was previously in the library of the distinguished American bibliophile Mortimer Schiff (1877-1931), whose collection included works by great printers, important illustrated books, works printed on vellum, and fine and historic bindings; it was later owned by H. V. Ingram, a collector of fine bindings in the mold of Schiff, a large number of whose books Ingram subsequently possessed. (ST19567-147)
Price: $1,100.00