SURIUS (Laurentius). De probatis sanctorum historiis. Cologne, 1579-1580. 4 vols. (out of 6) in-folio bound in full saddle leather on wooden boards, spine boards, cold-stamped boards, brass clasps (Binding of the period). T.2: [28] ff, 1066 pp, [1] p., T.3: [18] ff, 990 pp, [1] p., T.4: [18] ff, 1023 pp, T.5: [24] ff, 1111 pp. (T.1 and T.6 missing). Beautiful woodcut illustration with title finial representing a portrait of Christ in a medallion repeated in each volume, numerous historiated letters, a scene of Christ on the cross surrounded by saints on ff. a6 of T.1 and on the last ff. of T.3, portrait of the author on ff. d6 in T.3 and T.4 and on f. e6 in T.5. Second edition following the original one of 1570 of this monumental publication of Lives of Saints, the main work of the author Laurentius Surius (1522-1578), a German Carthusian monk. Surius' work is in fact a reinterpretation and expansion of Luigi Lippomano's collection of Lives of Saints dated 1551/1560. 2 volumes and a brass clasp are missing. Numerous insect damages (binding and inner pages), wood edges moulded in places but the whole is in good general conditionEx-libris Monasterii S. Petri Sylva Hercynia Asset good condition despite extensive insect work throughout Binding: Numerous insect galls to the wooden aisles, some parts of which are moulded by insect work, especially the lower corners Corners trimmed One of the brass clasps missing Dull cuts Soiling Sow skin is browned in many places Inner pages: Insect work running through all signatures Soiling Qlqs light foxing Qlqs paper defect from use (minor tears without missing) Title page of T.2 parcels Old library stamp