(Murner, Thomas) Die Narren beschwerung. Ein gar sehr nutzliches /kurtzweyliges unnd lustiges Büchlin (...). Mit Titelholzschnitt u. 96 Textholzschnitten. Strassburg, J. Knobloch d. J., 1558. CLXXVII,…

(Murner, Thomas) The Fools' Complaint. A very useful /curious and amusing book (...). With woodcut title and 96 woodcuts in the text. Strasbourg, J. Knobloch the Younger, 1558. CLXXVII, 2 vols. 8°. Late. Pgt. with rich floral and ornamental gilt embossing and ribbon ties (spine minimally stained, front cover slightly bent). VD16 M 7045 (not in the BSB) - STC 637 - Ritter 1619 - Müller 342, 71 - Goedeke II, 464, 18 (under Wickram). - Extremely rare, according to Worldcat and KVK only one copy worldwide (British Library), also 1 copy in the SBB Berlin (sign. Yg 6444) (digital copy VD16). - Fourth and also the second edition edited and expanded by Wickram. The first edition was published in Strasbourg in 1512, the second in 1518. The first edition, newly edited by Wickram, was published in 1556. Some of the beautiful woodcuts here are based on Brant's Ship of Fools, others are taken from the first edition of 1512, some with the monogram of Urs Graf (Hollstein XI, 268-286 attributes a total of 19 woodcuts in the first edition to Graf). Like Sebastian Brant in his "Ship of Fools", Murner also attacks the cardinal sins of the Middle Ages: Lust, profligacy, arrogance, avarice, envy, anger and laziness. Each poem (chapter) is preceded by a popular saying illustrated by a woodcut, followed by a summarizing quatrain. "Despite many motivic and compositional borrowings from the 'Ship of Fools', the 'Narenbeschwerung' is quite independent (even in the sharpness of its criticism, which seems to know no taboo, it goes far beyond Brant) and proves to be the work of a much more original author than Brant's artful compilation" (cf. Kindler). - Browned due to paper wear, but almost free of stains, lower corner of the title has been replaced (text and motif not affected), endpapers probably renewed. Overall a very well-preserved copy of this rare edition with splendid woodcut illustrations throughout in decorative binding. With woodcut title and 96 woodcuts. Later vellum binding with rich floral and ornamental gilt embossing and ribbon ties (spine minimally stained, front cover slightly bent). - Exceptionally rare, according to Worldcat and KVK only one copy worldwide (British Library), also 1 copy in the SBB Berlin (digitalized VD16). - Fourth and also the second edition edited and expanded by Wickram. The first edition was published in Strasbourg in 1512, the second in 1518. The first edition, newly edited by Wickram, was published in 1556. Some of the beautiful woodcuts in this edition are based on Brant's "Narrenschiff", others are taken from the first edition of 1512, some with the monogram of Urs Graf (Hollstein XI, 268-286 attributes a total of 19 woodcuts in the first edition to Graf). - Due to paper browned, but almost stain-free, the lower corner of the title has been replaced (text and motif not affected), endpapers presumably renewed. Overall a very well-preserved copy of this rare edition with splendid woodcut illustrations throughout in decorative binding. * This work is taxed. The hammer price is subject to a 23.95% buyer's premium and the final invoice amount is subject to 7% (books only) or 19% VAT in the European Union. This work is subject to the regular margin scheme. There is a 23.95% buyer's premium on the hammer price and 7% (Books only) or 19% VAT on the final invoice amount in the European Union.