The page is from the second edition of this work, printed in Strasbourg by Johann Mentelin in 1473. Printed, in black ink, on both sides in double columns containing 62 lines in thick roman script. Many of the capital letters are touched in yellow ink and there are paragraph rubrics in red as well as large rubricated capitals in red and blue. The leaf is headlined XXXI on one side in red and II on the other in blue. Folio, approx. 18 by 12 inches, handsomely mounted in cream boards ruled in yellow and red. Single leaf. Extremely well preserved, fine and very handsome. VERY RARE EARLY INCUNABULA BY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PRINTERS OF THE EARLY RENAISSANCE. Vincent of Beauvais was a Dominican friar who left the monastic life and eventually became lector and chaplain to the court of the French King Louis the IX. It was under such patronage that he undertook the task of writing three huge encyclopedias which he intended to include the sum of all knowledge from the time of creation to his own present day. The three major works were divided into the Speculum Majus, the Speculum Doctrinale and the Speculum Historiale. The last, despite its name, is not as much a historical overview as much as it is metaphysical commentary on religion, faith and other things supernatural. It is often regarded as the most personal and introspective of the three works and includes (as do the other two) pieces of poetry and music, possibly written by the author himself. Despite its many omissions and fallacies, all three sections of the Speculum were an influence and inspiration to poets and writers for centuries afterward, and was especially important to many of the Romantic writers, with Lord Byron often citing him as a primary influence. Seller Inventory # 23690

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Bibliographic Details

Title: [A Single Leaf from Beavais Speculum ...

Publisher: Strasbourg Johann Mentelin 1473

Binding: Hardcover

Store Description

Buddenbrooks has one of the finest selections of fine and rare books in several fields and we invite you to visit us at our new premises in Newburyport, Massachusetts where have an open "brick and mortar" bookshop. We are also available to meet with clients in Boston by appointment only, where we have maintained a presence for over 40 years. We offer a search service for any books, old or new, which you may have been unable to find. Please call for further information, we look forward to hearing from you.

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Buddenbrooks, Inc. ABAA
21 Pleasant Street, On the Courtyard, Newburyport, MA, 01950, U.S.A.

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All books are offered subject to prior sale. All books are returnable within 10 days, we ask that you notify
us via fax, phone or email in advance. Buddenbrooks, Inc. is located at 21 Pleasant Street, On the
Courtyard, in Newburyport, MA 01950 USA. All correspondences should be sent to this address to the
attention of Martin Weinkle or Stephen Pepple.

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