Johannes Carthusiensis [Giovanni di Deo]
Tetrastichon iodoci galli rubiace[n]sis in opusculu[m] nosce te...
vertitur hoc libro sanctorum dogmate facto precipuum graijs inter responsa chilonis exhibitum, et celo delapsum [in Greek] Gnothi se auton, quod valet expositum quiuis se noscat vt ipsum
Description:
occasional woodcut Greek letters, edges a little dusty, traces of small ancient bookmark once clipped to title fore-edge, blind impression at blank foot of title (c.2 x 12cm), single small worm hole at blank head of final gatherings, minor worm trail from upper edge along upper blank margin of last four leaves,
ff. [99] of [100], A-B8 C-D6 E-M8/6 N8 O1-7, lacking final blank as usual, on thick high-quality paper, small 4to, (208 x 153mm),
recased in antique vellum (mid-20thC), endpapers renewed (but not modern).
Publication Details:
[colophon:] Heidelberg: Heinrich Knoblochtzer, after 6 July 1489
Notes: [An important collection of devotional works – Interesting blind impression.] A very good, well-margined copy, crisp and clean, of the second edition of this collection of most interesting devotional and theological works, spanning subjects as varied as virtues, the Creation, apparitions, deathbed absolution and a good death. First published in Venice in 1480, it is 'the earliest instance of a work receiving an ecclesiastical "approbatio"' in Italy (Witcombe, p.60). This is the third work printed by Heinrich Knoblochtzer in Heidelberg, and the only edition of a work by Johannes Carthusiensis...more[An important collection of devotional works – Interesting blind impression.] A very good, well-margined copy, crisp and clean, of the second edition of this collection of most interesting devotional and theological works, spanning subjects as varied as virtues, the Creation, apparitions, deathbed absolution and a good death. First published in Venice in 1480, it is 'the earliest instance of a work receiving an ecclesiastical "approbatio"' in Italy (Witcombe, p.60). This is the third work printed by Heinrich Knoblochtzer in Heidelberg, and the only edition of a work by Johannes Carthusiensis that was not printed in Italy. The works of the Paduan monk Johannes Carthusiensis (or Giovanni di Dio, Certosino, fl.1480s) were mostly first printed by Jenson in Venice. This collection comprises his 'Nosce te', 'Corona senum', 'De immensa caritate Dei', 'De humilitate interior et patientia vera' and 'Flos vitae'. It begins with a four-line poem by the 15th-century theologian Jodocus Gallicus, celebrating 'Nosce te', which features a dozen woodcut Greek letters. There follow a few pages detailing the ecclesiastical approbation and sundry further celebratory comments by major theologians of the time. 'Nosce te' is a devotional work on Christian behaviour, based on excerpts from the Scriptures (e.g., the conversion of Mary Magdalene). Its chapters deal with continence, exterior and interior virtues, disobedience, divine authority, charity, temptation and contemplation. A few lines criticize a mysterious local (Paduan?) figure called Porcellano, lost in the mists of history, whom the author heard utter prophecies. 'Corona senum' discusses in short sections the Creation, microcosm, microcosm, the element, the planets and their influence on the body, Noah's ark, the progeny of Abraham, virtues and vices, and divine visions and apparitions. The very short 'De humilitate' focuses on defeating the temptations of 'superbia' and on the temptations of the humble, caused by laziness (derived from spending too much time meditating), as well as sadness, affliction and 'infinite anguish' from solitude. 'Flos vite' is concerned preparing the sick to dying (confession, sacraments, etc.), including the required religious formulas and litanies, with a special focus on religious. Most interesting are the sections listing papal and episcopal cases, i.e., situations in which absolution is requested for serious crimes such as simony, coercion of the confessor to provide absolution, witchcraft, incest, sodomy and usury, as well as dispensation from vows. The last part discusses the passage to death, including masses, services, formulas and litanies. On the title is a very interesting blind impression of five lines which appears to contain actual text. It is also present on three digitised copies. We were not able to trace the text of the blind impression in the formes of the first gathering. ISTC ij00275000; BMC III, 670; GW M13471; Goff J275; HC 9389*; Panzer V, 263; Osler 7445; Mattaire I, 512. C. Whitcombe, Copyright in the Renaissance (2004). HIDE
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Price: £3,000
Subject: Theology
Published Date: 1489
Stock Number: 65849
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