Biblia Latina | 2 fragments from the Fust and Schöffer 48-line Bible [Mainz: Johann Fust & Peter Schöffer , 14 August 1462]

Bible, Latin

Biblia Latina, 2 fragments from the Fust and Schöffer 48-line Bible [Mainz: Johann Fust & Peter Schöffer , 14 August 1462]

Folio (332 x 158 mm, 325 x 224 mm), double column, 48-lines printed in Gotico-Antiqua type 5:118; with one 7-line high exuberant puzzle initial ‘T’ in blue and red ink with red vegetal infill of red ink drawing, surrounded by purple and red extenders that connect to the 5-line high initial above also infilled with purple ink tracings in a vegetal design, titles and chapters in alternating red and blue letters, red and blue two-line initials, rubricated capital initials; decorated fragment ending chapter 4 book of Ester, prologue to the book of Tobit, and beginning of first book of Tobit; second text fragment with two 2-line high initials, one red, one blue, containing Ezekiel 23-28; marginal darkening and occasional spotting

TWO FRAGMENTS FROM THE FOURTH PRINTED BIBLE, created in cooperation by the banker Johann Fust and printer-publisher Peter Schöffer in Mainz, issued on the 14th August 1462. The printed predecessors of the Fust and Schöffer Bible were the 42-line Gutenberg Bible, the 36-line Pfister Bible (Bamberg) and the 49-line Mentelin Bible (Strasbourg). 

The text source of this bible-edition was a copy of the Gutenberg bible with manuscript corrections. With its specifically developed Gotico-Antiqua type and its finely drawn initials, it is evident why the Fust and Schöffer bible was also called the "Biblia pulcra" (beautiful bible). Around 80 copies of this bible survive, with editions created on both vellum and paper. The wide distribution throughout most of Europe, including France, Italy, Bohemia and England, gives evidence of the popularity of the Fust and Schöffer edition.

PROVENANCE:

1. Printed in 1462 in Mainz by Johann for Fust and Peter Schöffer.

2. The Bible was likely disassembled following the 16th century and its leaves used in a variety of ways in the production of printed books, most often as binding support.

3. From the collection of the renowned bibliophile Paul Hirsch (1881–1951). Born into a German-Jewish industrial family, he soon developed a great appreciation for books and was a passionate and accomplished musician. He created the largest private library in Europe, and his collection of music, encompassing over 18,000 items, is now held at the British Library. Following the rise of National Socialism in Germany Hirsch fled Germany in 1936 to settle in Cambridge;

4. by descent to the current owner. See previous lot and lots 147-149.

REFERENCES:

ISTC ib00529000

Ikeda, Makumi, ‘The First Experiments in Book Decoration at the Fust-Schöffer Press’ in: Wagner, Bettina; Reed, Marcia (eds.). Early Printed Books as Material Objects: Proceedings of the Conference Organized by the Ifla Rare Books and Manuscripts Section Munich, 19–21 August 2009. De Gruyter, pp.39-51; Als die Lettern laufen lernten: Medienwandel im 15. Jahrhundert. Inkunabeln aus der Bayerischen Staatsbibliothek München. ed. by Bettina Wagner. Wiesbaden: Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag, 2009; Gesamtkatalog der Wiegendrucke. Bd. I [etc.] Stuttgart, etc., 1968- [in progress]. (Vols. 1-7 reproduced with additions and corrections from the original edition (Leipzig, etc., 1925-38)). [See also GW Manuskript - GW M: http://www.gesamtkatalogderwiegendrucke.de] 4204