1491 POOR MAN’S BIBLE- FROBEN BIBLIA LATINA INCUNABLE, First Octavo Edition of the Bible

Description

Johann Froben (1460-1527)

 

THE BIBLE IN LATIN- Biblia integra: summata: distincta: superemendata: utruisque testamenti concordantiis illustrata. 

Printed by Johann Froben at Basil in 1491. This is the first Bible printed in octavo or in small form, and is hence called the First Edition of the ”poor man’s Bible”. This edition also seems to be one of the earliest Bibles in which references to parallel passages are given throughout the volume. A beautiful gold illuminated intial is found at the beginning of Genesis and many red and blue initials are found throughout. This Bible is complete having  496 of 496 leaves including the 3 blanks as called for. The only point preventing this example from being sold as perfect (collation) is the presence of folio 2 in very fine facsimile. Complete copies of the poor man’s Bible are very rare and seldom come to market.  A thick octavo measuring 6 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ printed on 56 lines in double columns. Bound in a solid contemporary  leather binding that has been refurbished and housed in a new custom fitted half leather clamshell case. D & M 6086, Copinger 90. VGC+.

THE FROBENIAN EDITIONS are formed from the editions “Fontibus ex Graecis” (from Greek sources) and are remarkable for their accuracy. They were so highly esteemed that many editions of the sixteenth century were printed from them verbatim.  Froben’s editions were so particulary accurate that they were much sought after by the best scholars in Europe. Froben was certainly the most celebrated printer at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century. When he died his friend Erasmus said of him ” Aetas erat provectior sed valetudo prospera.” (He was advanced in age but in good health.) Erasmus wrote his epitaph, which is still to be read under the porch of St. Peter’s Church at Basle. It is in the three languages in which Froben published his books- Hebrew, Greek and Latin.

 

COLLATION AND CONDITION-

GENERAL TITLE PAGE, 1page, folio 1a, Biblia integra: summata: distincta: superemendata: utruisque testamenti concordantiis illustrata. This leaf has an old neat repair to the blank inner margin, a small ember hole and an inscription in an ancient hand with a quill. All of these are not obscuring the text. COMPLETE.

Ad divinarum litterarum…amatores exhortatio. 2 pages, folios 1b and 2a, A short preface. Minor chipping to the fore edge and with a loss of a few words due to the aforementioned ember hole. COMPLETE.

In summarium, 1 paragraph included on folio 2a, The table of contents or a classification of the books of the Bible with a summary of their contents and the number of chapters in each.COMPLETE.

Librorum ordo, 1 paragraph also included on folio 2a,mnemonic verses giving a list of the books.COMPLETE.

NOTE- FOLIO 2 IS SUPPLIED IN VERY FINE FACSIMILE ON SYMPATHETIC COTTON LINEN PAPER .

Summarium Biblie, 5 pages, folios 2b-4b, Ends with finis. The paper is remarkably clean, crisp and bright. No loose, missing, torn or repaired pages. Has good margins, straight edges, strong corners and clean gutters COMPLETE.

NOTE- FOLIO 5 IS BLANK AS CALLED FOR.

PROLOGUES IN BIBLIAM, 6 pages, signed A2-A4b, folios 6-8b, The usual prologue of St. Jerome. Features a beautiful red and blue initial illuminated in gold with some transferring to the blank facing page.The paper is remarkably  clean, crisp and bright. No loose, missing, torn or repaired pages. Has good margins, straight edges, strong corners and clean gutters COMPLETE.

The Old Testament, signed A4b-Z8b, folios 8b-364b, Features wonderfully vibrant red and blue initials throughout. Three leaves were noted with missing blank corners. The paper is remarkably clean, crisp and bright. No loose, missing, torn or repaired pages. Has good margins, straight edges, strong corners and clean gutters COMPLETE.

The New Testament, signed I-II8b , folios 365- 456b, Features wonderfully vibrant red and blue initials throughout. One leaf was noted with a missing blank corner. Folio 400 has a repaired (closed) tear into the bottom of the outer column of text without loss. The final leaf of Revelation has an ember moon on the blank fore edge.  Ends with the colophon dated June 27th,1491: Explicita est biblia psens Basilee suma lucubratione: per Johanem Froben de Hammelburck. Anno nonagesimo primo supra Millesimu quarterqz cente simu die vero vicesimaseptima Junii. The paper is remarkably clean, crisp and bright. No loose, missing or torn pages. Has good margins, straight edges, strong corners and clean gutters COMPLETE.

Interpretationes Nominu Hebraicoum, 36 pages, signed A-E6b, folio 457- 493b, Interpretations of Hebrew Names, Light staining tides in the gutters of a few later pages.The paper is otherwise clean, crisp and bright. No loose, missing, torn or repaired pages. Has good margins,straight edges, and strong corners. COMPLETE.

Translatores Biblie Notandu, 1 page, signed E7a, folio 494a, Notes from the Bible Translators to the readers. The paper is clean, crisp and bright. No looseness or tears. Has good margins, straight edges, strong corners and clean gutters COMPLETE.

Modi intelligendi sacra scriptura notandu, 1 page, signed E7b, folio 494b. Notes on Ways of understanding the Sacred Scriptures, The paper is clean, crisp and bright. No looseness or tears. Has good margins, straight edges, strong corners and clean gutters COMPLETE.

Blank Leaf,  folio 495, ancient doodles with some soiling and a small hole at the upper outer corner. COMPLETE.

The Final Blank Leaf, folio 496, same as above, pasted down to the rear paste down. COMPLETE.