jamesgray2

I find all the books of Drexel quite interesting, He chose subjects which still (to me at least) make me want to learn more about and wonder how he came up with such subjects, he also Titled his books to entice his reader and  their Illustration while small are intricate and full of symbolism and allegory .

Also quite remarkable is their popularity, which still to this day makes them Bargains!

YES HERE is your chance to pick up an early book illustrated in original binding and very interesting with a small investment..

Enjoy

James

Jeremias Drexel, or Drexelius (1581–1638)

In  seventeenth century Germany Drexel was quite a popular preacher and prolific writer. He was born of a Lutheran family  and after being schooled at Jesuit school, St. Salvator in Augsburg, He entered the Society of Jesus in 1610. He was professor of humanities and rhetoric at Augsburg and Dillingen, and for twenty-three years court preacher to the Maximilian Elector of Bavaria.  His writings were of  immense popularity. He was the author of thirty-four major works which reached,  158,700 copies printed during his life, with continuing popularity long after his death.

Drexel’s custom was to preach in German, then translate his sermons into Latin, and then turn them again into German; meanwhile, translations from the vernacular or Latin appeared in most European languages

His love for odd titles shows itself in the  books offered here.

479G Jeremias Drexel 1581-1638

Aloe Amari sed salubris succi Ieiunium quod in aula ser[enissi]mi utriusque Bauariae Ducis Maximiliani S.R.I. Archidapiferi, Electoris etc. explicavit et latine Scripsit Hieremias Drexelius e Societate jesu.

München : formis Cornelij Leysserij elect. typographi & biblipolæ(IS), Leysser, Cornelius 1637 Formis Cornelij Leysserij

ON Hold

Duodecimo A-X12 Y6 First Edition The book is bound in full contemporary vellum. While  preacher to the elector of Bavaria where he wrote this work on fasting . cf.Weiss 817 (1650 edition).

846G Jeremias Drexel 1581-1638

Heliotropivm seu Conformatio humanae voluntatis cum divinâ :Libris quinque explicata coram Ser[enissimo] Vtriusq[ue] Bauariae Duce S.R.I. Archidapifero, Electore: Maximiliano & Serenissima coniuge Elisabetha.

Monachii : Typis Nicolaus Henricus,, 1629                                   $ 600

Duodecimo 51/2 x4 1/4 inches A-Z8/10, Aa-Ii8/10 : Like Some copies the five plates are bound in the text and not at the end as are some copies First published Munich, 1627.

This copy is bound in full contemporary vellum. Manuscript title on spina and the remains of one clasp, missing catch.

“The heliotrope emblem sets the theme, treatise on the freedom of the will” (Jantz). “This work [.] is perhaps Drexel’s most important book” (Faber du Faur I, 248).

Quoted from an english translation by Reginald N Shutte:

“ that the animal knows how to return thanks to its nourisher with such great signs of submission, and with such an humble form of worship, and to offer itself as a stave! And what are we doing, Christian friends, if we are either less wise, or inferior to an animal void of reason God is most perfect Light; yet, as far as we are concerned, that Light either waxes or wanes according as we prepare ourselves to receive it. When it fades within us our eyes become dim; we pine away, and fall to the ground, and faint, and perish: but when it increases we are illuminated, and grow, and are strong and healthy. Let us, therefore, submit ourselves as perfectly as possible to this Lord, and to His most Holy Will, being ready to obey its every indication. This procures for us a crown, and not only that of eternal glory, but an illustrious one even in this fleeting life. We are transformed into God, when our will is transformed into the Divine. He was an Egyptian deity, better known by the name of Anubis, and was represented under the form of a man with the head of a dog, because, when Osiris went on his expedition against India, Anubis accompanied him, and clothed himself in a sheep.

Quoted from The Heliotropium; or, conformity of the human will, to the divine expounded in five books. Translated from the original Latin by Reginald N. Shutte. With a preface by the right Rev. the Bishop of Brechin. London, Saunders, Otley and Co. 1863

Pörnbacher, K. Jeremias Drexel,; p176 #7 ; De Backer-Sommervogel vol.III-col.189 no 9 ;Harold Jantz collection ;; no. 854,: J. Landwehr, German emblem books, 238.Faber du Faur I, 248

481G Jeremias Drexel 1581-1638

Ioseph AEgypti Prorex descriptus et morali doctrina illustratus a R.P. Hieremia Drexelio Soc. Jesu. Ex Posthumis libellis secundus.

Antuerpiæ : Antwerpen : apud viduam Io. Cnobbart(IS), Cnobbaert, Jan, vedova 1641   $950

Duodecimo 5 x 2 in A6, Bb.  Second edition The book is bound in full contemporary vellum with slight yapp edges and a very nice red label The leaves are remarkably well-preserved, the leaves retain much of their original whiteness with minimal dampstaining.

This work is an example of the popular seventeenth century genre the “biblical biography.” The book is a biography of Joseph, the son of Jacob (according to Matthew.) The work accounts many events from the life of Joseph such as his being sold into slavery by his brothers, as illustrated in the frontispiece. There is also an interesting reference to the great library at Alexandria in chapter 15.

Pörnbacher, K. Jeremias Drexel,; p189 #22b; DeBacker-Sommervogel vol.III-col. 201 no.25

This one is my Favorite 

487G Jeremias Drexel 1581-1638

Orbis Phaethon hoc est de Universis Vitiis Linguae. Hieremia Drexelio

Colonia (Cologne): Cornel ab Egmond, 1631.   SOLD

Duodecimo 5 1/2 x4 1/4 inches A-Z8, Aa-Zz8, Aaa-Fff8 Third edition The  copy is bound in full contemporary calf.

. This curious work is a dictionary on the depravity of language and of sins, vices and bad habits. The moral failings are arranged alphabetically, each sin or vice illustrated with an engraved plate featuring the letter the particular sin starts with. Sometimes called an emblem book, but more an illustrated dictionary of bad language! Charmingly illustrated, with numerous decorative endpieces as well as the lovely engraved plates.

Pörnbacher, K. Jeremias Drexel,; p18o #9 ; De Backer-Sommervogel vol.III-col.193

561G Jeremias Drexel 1581-1638

The considerations of Drexelius upon eternity. Translated by Ralph Winterton, fellow of King’s Colledge in Cambridge, 1632.

London : printed for Rich. Chiswell, and sold by Percivall Gilbourne, in Fleetstreet; and William Davis, at the Black Bull near the Royal Exchange in Cornhil, 1699.       $1,800

Duodecimo 5 1/2 X 3 inches A6, A4, B-N12 O1 Bound in full calf binding, rebacked with the original boards. Externally, slightly worn. The joints are starting. Internally,there is browning and foxing, with some marks.

Pornbacher see DeBacker-Sommervogel vol.III, col 182/3 no. 3 (not listing this edition or translation?) ; Wing (2nd ed.), D2181

506G Jeremias Drexel 1581-1638

Trismegistus Christianus seu Triplex Cultus Conscientiae Caelitum Corpori

Monachii (München:) Henricus, 1627,    $ 750

Duodecimo 3 3/4 x 2 inches A- Z10/12, a-c12,d3 Fifth edition The little copy is bound in full contemporary vellum.

Pörnbacher, K. Jeremias Drexel,; p174 ; De Backer-Sommervogel vol.III-col.187 no 7