Drexel,J.

Zodiacus Christianus seu signa 12. divinae Praedestinationis : una cum 12. symbolis quibus signa illa adumbrantur. Munich, Sadeler, Berg 1618. 126 pp:, [1] fol. embossed vellum bds. d. Zt. with Jesuit signet on center panel of front cover and ornamental borders. VD17 12:105816B, USTC 2108868, ADB f, p. 386, NDB 4, p. 119f. - Very rare first edition of the frequently published and popular emblem book of the Catholic theologian, Jesuit and court preacher of Elector Maximilian I, Jeremias Drexel (1581 - 1618). - The people of Bavaria revered the serious and forceful admonisher as a saint, and indeed the school of a strict ascetic education is also not to be misjudged in the speeches equipped with all means of an inventive rhetoric. For the taste of his age, the titles in which the themes of his speeches and speech cycles are indicated, are already partly significant: "Zodiacus christianus", "Nicetas seu triumphata incontinentia", "Heliotropium" (Conformity of the human will with the divine), "Orbis Phaëton" (Sins of the tongue), "Aloë amari sed salubris succi" (Fasting), "Gazophylacium Christi" (Benevolence) etc." (ADB). - With copper title, colophon with gest. Printer's mark and 13 text copperplates. - Binding rubbed and bumped, rear mirror, flyleaf and colophon with worm traces, the latter with only minimal damage. Paper browned, waterstains at foot of spine, occasional small marginal lesions. Illustrations in very good condition. With stamp and spine signature of a dissolved monastic library.