1492 "Sentences" of Peter Lombard in Early Binding
Item Details
A rare incunabula folio edition of the Sentences of Peter Lombard (circa 1096–1160) published on March 12, 1492 by Nicholas Kessler of Basel, Switzerland in an early, perhaps original, binding. It is a complete volume with 265 leaves, including an appendix by Dutch theologian Henry of Gorkum (circa 1378–1431). This fine folio was published less than fifty years after the invention of moveable type by Johannes Gutenberg (circa 1398–1468), with printing completed on March 12, 1492 (milesimus quater centesimus nonagesimosecundo. Duodecimo…Martii) as listed on the colophon on the verso of folio 238 (see Image #20). Printed on laid paper, the text features hand-inked capitals and embellishments throughout the text in blue and red pigment. Four metal page marker tabs are affixed to the fore edges of leaves 4, 70, 128, and 174. The volume is bound in embossed leather covered wood with evidence that metal clasps were once present. A non-original, hand-written label has also been affixed to the spine below a leather repair on the upper spine. Fragments of medieval manuscripts are visible throughout the binding on the sewing supports, suggesting that the binding is very early, perhaps even contemporaneous or original to the printed text. The fragments are most easily visible in Image #10. There are several inscriptions and marginalia throughout the work including a hand-drawn family crest in red ink on the recto of the first leaf (see Image #10).
2°: a 6 – s 6 χ s 6 ſ 6 t 6 (k4 misprint as 4) becomes A–Q 8/6 R 6 S 8 χ R 6 χ S 8 (lacks S8, blank?) ; 265 leaves; pp. [ 1 ] – [ 530 ].
Peter Lombard’s Sentences is a Latin language work on theology originally written circa 1150. The title is from the Latin ‘sententiae’ meaning ‘sentences’ or ‘statements’, in this case, meant in the sense of a commentary on the Biblical text and the writings of the early Church fathers. The text is organized into four books, which theologian Alexander of Hales (circa 1185-1245) further subdivided into chapters called ‘distinctions’ in the early 13th century. These can be seen in the headings at the top of each page of this edition, with ‘Li.’ for liber (book) and ‘Di.’ for distinctio. This edition also features ‘concluding articles’ (appendices) by Henry of Gorkum (Henrici Gorichem, circa 1378–1431). The Sentences were an immensely popular theological work inspiring commentaries by the greatest Christian philosophers of the medieval period including St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274), Duns Scotus (John Duns, circa 1266–1308), William of Ockham (circa 1287–1347), and St. Bonaventure (Giovanni di Fidanza, 1221–1274) and was produced countless times in manuscript form before the invention of printing in Europe. It is unsurprising that it was chosen by the Basel-based printer Nicholas Kessler, who is known to have printed several theological works during the first expansion of printing in the Western world.
Condition
- a Fine copy of an early printed complete codex with early binding.
- Some cover wear and paper discoloration, minor stains and moisture damage to the upper textblock, some small insect boreholes to the cover and pages. Upper corner of leaf 231 is torn but does not compromise the text. Upper spine has been repaired as well as a leather repair patch on the back board. Back board has some water stains but does not bleed through to back pages. Evidence that straps or clasps and catch plates were once present in the binding but are not currently present. Leaves have been hand numbered in pencil in the upper right corner by a previous owner. Binding is tight throughout.
Dimensions
Item #
16CIN601-310
