9 - Incunabula

Incunabula Spiera, Ambrosius Quadragesimale de floribus sapientiae. Edited by Marcus Venetus. Venice: Boneto Locatello for Ottaviano Scotto, February 20, 1488. 314 leaves (the first and last of which are blank). Sign. a10, A–Z, AA–PP8. Gothic typefaces 130G and 62G. 60 Zl. Throughout, rubricated with four-line Lombardic script—partly decorated with knurled patterns—in red, silver plated, and blue, and featuring a large printer’s mark in woodcut (fol. PP7r). 8°. Calfskin binding in the late Gothic style on three bands over wooden boards with blind-embossed cover using a plate press, a scoring iron, and a stamp; the cover is divided into three panels by triple lines, the topmost of which is a horizontal band bearing the inscription “O. Imbroli” in Gothic type; a central panel consisting of interlacing patterns—doubly framed by triple lines and surrounded by floral stamps, partly with dotted lines—enclosed by an inner frame of tendrils and floral motifs and an outer frame of scrollwork with lilies (metal fittings missing; front cover with small areas of missing covering, scraped; spine and back cover restored). GW 43134. - Hain 922. - BMC V, p. 436 (IB 22829). - BSB-Ink, S-525. - Goff, 3rd Census, p. 681. - IGI 9132. - Pellechet 602. - Proctor 5017. - This rare incunabulum is the fourth edition of the influential Lenten sermons by the Servite monk and theologian Ambrosius de Spiera (also known as Ambrosius Spiera Taruisinus, c. 1413–1454/55). The text was first published in 1476 by Wendelin von Speyer in Venice and went through a total of seven editions by 1516, attesting to its widespread circulation in 15th-century theological literature. This Venetian edition was edited by Marcus Venetus and produced in the print shop of Boneto Locatello on behalf of the well-known publisher Ottaviano Scotto, one of the most important publishing houses of early Venetian printing. The work is a collection of sermons delivered during the forty-day Lenten season (Quadragesima) and is primarily intended for theology students and members of religious orders, presenting complex theological topics in clear, well-researched language. The title *Flores Sapientiae*, meaning “Flowers of Wisdom,” refers to the edifying nature of the collection, which was originally delivered to his fellow brothers at the Servite monastery of San Marcello in Rome. - Fol. PP7r with colophon and, below it, Scotto’s large woodcut printer’s mark; PP7v with the table of contents (Husung, printer’s mark 198). - The first leaves in the inner and bottom margins have a slight watermark and are occasionally somewhat finger-stained; the edges are stained and dusty; the covers and a few leaves with minor worming; otherwise a well-preserved copy of this incunabulum, elegantly set in two columns with wide margins on heavy paper, the Lombard capitals featuring, in part, extremely sweeping, expansive serifs. Incunabula. — This rare incunabulum represents the fourth edition of the influential Lenten sermons by the Servite friar and theologian Ambrosius de Spiera (also known as Ambrosius Spiera Taruisinus, c. 1413–1454/55). The text first appeared in 1476, printed by Wendelin of Speyer in Venice, and went through a total of seven editions up to 1516, attesting to its wide circulation within fifteenth-century theological literature. The present Venetian edition was edited by Marcus Venetus and produced in the printing house of Boneto Locatello on commission from the renowned publisher Ottaviano Scotto, one of the most important publishing houses of the early Venetian press. The work brings together sermons delivered during the forty-day period of Lent (Quadragesima) and is aimed primarily at theology students and members of religious orders, presenting complex theological subjects in clear, well-researched language. The title *Flores Sapientiae*, meaning *Flowers of Wisdom*, reflects the edifying nature of the collection, which was originally delivered to his fellow friars at the Servite monastery of San Marcello in Rome. Leaf PP7r bears the colophon, beneath which appears Scotto’s large woodcut printer’s mark, while PP7v carries the register (Husung, Druckerzeichen 198). The opening quires show a small water stain in the inner margin and lower margin and are occasionally somewhat soiled by fingerprints; the edges are stained and dusty; the boards and a few leaves show minor, insignificant wormholes; otherwise a well-preserved copy of this incunabulum, elegantly set in two columns with wide margins on substantial paper; the Lombard initials feature, in part, exceptionally lively, sweeping foliate scrollwork. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books, art) or 19% value-added tax (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints, photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union. This work is subject to the standard margin scheme. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price