Quadriga aeternitatis universi generis humani meta (FIRST EDITION)

Wilhelm Gailkircher, Canonicus Augustanus ad S. Mauritium

Published by Raphael Sadeler, Munich, 1619

About this Item

Free 1-3 day USPS Priority Mail shipping & free insurance in the USA48. Hardcover. Near fine. FIRST EDITION. 15mm x 10mm (8vo.), pp. (10), 124, (2). Roman and Italic letter, little Greek; engraved title within border with four opposing oval depictions of heaven and hell, 9 half-page engraved emblems by Sadeler, decorative and typographical head-pieces, engraved RAPHAELEM SADELERUM'S charming printer's device on colophon--a turtle saying, "Sub parvum sed meo" (less than small but mine); in near fine condition, with very slight tanning, bookplate of Robert Alan Green Jr. on front pastedown. Bound in black contemporary quarter calf with distinctive black and green marbled paper, some wear on edges and corners of binding, gold-tooled decoration and title on spine. First and only edition of a rare moral and devotional book of emblems. Very little is known about the author. Gailkircher was born in Munich and later became canon of S. Maurice in Augsburg and a respected Catholic Neo-Latin poet. This is his only published work, in which Gailkircher mixed the wisdom of the ancient philosophers and writers Plato and his followers in particular with Christian precepts, so as to devise a guide for heaven ( Charriot of Aeternitas ). Virtuous examples and mottos are provided along with some remarkable engraved illustrations by Sadeler, including the Last Rites, Last Judgment, Hell, Christ as Salvator Mundi, Virgin and Child, the navicula Petri and the final illustration,an allegorical depiction of Vices is printed off center. ("Omne quod est in mundo concupisentia carnis est, et concupiscentia oculorum & superbia vitae, I joann, c. (shown). The Quadriga is dedicated to the secretary of the archbishop of Cologne. Besides this one, we know of no other recorded copies in the US.

Seller Inventory # 0172

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Quadriga aeternitatis universi generis humani meta (FIRST EDITION)
• Publisher: Raphael Sadeler, Munich
• Publication Date: 1619
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
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