1. Alphonsus de Spina, Bp. of Orense, d. 1469

Fortalitium fidei

Basel: Bernhard Richel, before 10 May 1475

Description

Paper. 240 numbered leaves, unsigned; 390 x 285 mm (fol.). Gothic type; two columns per page. 'Tabula fortalicij fidei (8 leaves) is in this copy placed at the beginning, not at the end. Text begins on f.9a: 'Incipit prohemiuin quo divine laudes annotat' & mittit' querela an tronu maiestate dei et ponit' intenco scribente.' f.10a has a coloured woodcut. Rubricated throughout.

Binding

Vellum covers (wormed) with fragments of manuscripts at front. Blind stamped with painted red I on front cover. Brass clasps gone.

Printer

Bernhard Richel was an important printer in the city of Basel, first mentioned in the trade on 12 March 1472. He issued the citys first dated printed book, the Sachsenspiegel of 1474, and the city's first illustrated book: Spiegel des menschlichen Behltnisses, 1476. He died late July 1482.

Provenance

1. Canon William Ardene Shoults 2. Selwyn College; Otago University Library

Reference

HC 871*; BMC III 735; Goff A540; Kaplan 22; ISTC ia00540000; GW 1575

Illustrations

Binding, rubricated initial f.5a, coloured woodcut f.10a, notes on preliminary page.