Oleastro, Hieronymi ab | First edition of these Old Testament commentaries penned by an inquisitor

Oleastro, Hieronymi ab

Reverendi patris Fratris Hieronymi ab Oleastro Lusitani…Com[m]entaria in Mosi Pentaceuchum. Lisbon: apud Iohannem Berrium [João de Barreira], 1556

5 vols. bound in 1, folio (295 x 203 mm). Woodcut titles, printer’s device on verso of final leaves of vols. 2–4, woodcut initials, text in two columns; early annotations and scores throughout, some leaves soiled, marginal worming throughout not affecting text, title of vol. 1 dampstained at lower corner, numerous ink signatures and stamps, several early manuscript ink notations, overslip to *4 recto, several leaves misnumbered. Contemporary limp vellum, vertical manuscript title on spine, short author-title on fore-edge; worn, tears to head and foot, numbered sticker pasted to foot.

First edition of this Portuguese inquisitor’s major scholarly work.

Frey Jerónimo Oleastro gained recognition for his commentaries at the Council of Trent, having been sent by King João III. One of the most notable theologians of his time and adept in Hebrew and Greek, Oleastro based his commentary on the translations of Sanctes Pagnino. Appointed deputy of the Inquisition at Lisbon in 1551, Oleastro compiled Portugal's Index of Prohibited Books. His commentaries were later prohibited, as noted by the several ink manuscript inscriptions on the title page indicating that the work had been expurgated in 1585 and 1632.

REFERENCES

Adams 153-4; Anselmo 141, 320-323; BM Portuguese Pre-1601 STC, p.4; Barbosa Machado II, 483-4; Marques, A. A. M. “Frei Jerónimo de Azambuia e a sua actividade inquisitorial," Lusitania Sacra, 7, 193–216; Not in King Manuel, Darlow and Moule, or in NUC

PROVENANCE

Biblioteca de los Franciscanos, Balaguer (library stamp to title)