

- Albertus de Padua (1282-1328): and Pseudo-Nicolaus de Dinkelsbühl (1360-1433) Goff A340
- Hugo Ripelin Argentinensis (1210-1270) and Thomas Dorniberg (1440-1497) Goff A233
- Peregrinus of Opole (1260-1327) Jacobus de Voragine (1229-1298) & Nicolaus de Dinkelsbühl (1360-1433) Goff P267
In one of the most informative books I have ever read about a printers work, The fifteenth-century printing practices of Johann Zainer, Ulm 1473-1478 ,Dr Claire M. Bolton states
“Zainer was Chosen for this study because he was a clumsy printer, leaving many marks on his printed pages.”
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
I on the other had been first taken by Zainer’s printing by the typeface, which are quite varied as well as distinctive while closely examining the types many examples of “Bad practice found in the works of early printers, such as bad registers, slurred impression, offset, etc. Zainer showed all of these and more”(Bolton p3 footnote 11.) This made me curious about the archaeology of not only the text , but also the mechanical production and the practices of physical book making as well as usage and ownership. Greatly inspired by William Sherman’s work works and especially his book, Used Books, Marking Readers renaissance England. I wanted to explore more than the content but contextualize the transmission of content, often very obscure to current concerns . I am generally a ‘bigger picture’ sort of a person yet I know or trust that [An ok cometh of a litel spir] (Chaucer ca.1385) “Great Oaks from small Acorns grow” and I find myself taking a dive into the micro unknown to discover or expose or create small connections in the particular detail that grow (or cometh) into a better understanding of a lost age.
Today I do not have time to follow the threads, nor the temperament, instead I will do some heavy lifting of describing the books I will be looking at and touching upon the framework, I will be at in the next blog.
Please take a look and enjoy.
James
—–I—–
564J. Albertus de Padua (1282-1328): and Pseudo-Nicolaus de Dinkelsbühl (1360-1433)
Expositio evangeliorum dominicalium et festivalium. Add: Nicolaus de Dinkelsbuel: Concordantia in passionem dominicam.
Ulm : Johann Zainer, ‘about’ 15 June 1480.
(The colophon reads circa festum sancti Viti) Price $21,000

Certainly one of my favorite type faces!


Chancery folio: 31½ x 21 ½ cm. signatures: [a12 b–q8 r6+1 s–z8 A–T8 U10 X Y8 Z aa10]. This copy is bound in full contemporary calf over wooden boards with an arabesque or vine decoration, as commonly found on Zainer printed books. And a circular stamp of a stag or elk or deer. One metal clasp of two remains and with the catches are stamped “AVE” This book has a very early rebacking, and both the front and rear paste downs are leaves from a German incunabule. Probably bound at the workshop named Zu of Ulm Adler by Schwenke/Schunke feating the tool Blattwerk 511. Binding EBDB s013420, Kyriss 080 (round stamp with Stag.)

In terms of printing history, the work is remarkable for the clearly visible textile impressions on several sheets, which are a consequence of a printing method which makes use of moist textile sheets, a technical specialty which resulted in an improved printing quality, this method was predominantly used by Johann Zainer
This copy has several other interesting contemporary particularities: Ca. 4 sheets in a somewhat smaller size and paper quality, (cf. A. Schulte, Über das Feuchten des Papiers mit nassen Tüchern bei Joh. Zainer; in Gutenberg-Jb. 1941, pp. 19-22)
Further more the Paste downs are made of single side printings of leaves from the Spiegel des Sünders printed by Johann Zainers brother Günther Zainer in Augsberg (not Ulm) [about 50 mi/82km] There is also a handprint of someone from the time of printing.
With the Provenance “pro Conventu fratrum Minoru(m) Franciscacanoru(m) Reformatoru(M) Bolzanesium” Franciscan convent Bolzano, Tyrol, Italy
Paste Down are leafs 2r & 11r each printed on one side only from the Spiegel des Sünders.
Us location BPL only
Digital reproductions: urn:nbn:de:bvb:12-bsb00032031-1
is00675000. Imprint[Augsburg : Günther Zainer, about 1478]
Format 8°. Goff S675; H 14946*; Schr 5286; E. Freys, Makulatur aus der Presse Günther Zainers, in Gb Jb 1944/45, p. 96; Günt(L) 188; Ohly-Sack 2576; BSB-Ink S-519; GW M43109
Goff A340; Hain: H *574; & (Concordantia only H* 11762); Zehnacker 99; Polain(B) 101; IGI 243; SI 65; IBP 175; IBE 215; CCIR A-34; Coll(S) 34; Coll(U) 55; Madsen 101; Šimáková-Vrchotka 48, 49, 50; Martín Abad A-61; Walsh 904, S-904; Bod-inc A-094; Sheppard 1819; Pr 2523; BMC II 526; BSB-Ink A-133; GW 785
Digital reproductions. Electronic facsimile : Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, München

Chancery folio: 31½ x 21 ½ cm. signatures: [a12 b–q8 r6+1 s–z8 A–T8 U10 X Y8 Z aa10]. This copy is bound in full contemporary calf over wooden boards with an arabesque or vine decoration, as commonly found on Zainer printed books. And a circular stamp of a stag or elk or deer. One metal clasp of two remains and with the catches are stamped “AVE” This book has a very early rebacking, and both the front and rear paste downs are leaves from a German incunabule. Probably bound at the workshop named Zu of Ulm Adler by Schwenke/Schunke feating the tool Blattwerk 511. Binding EBDB s013420, Kyriss 080 (round stamp with Stag.)
In terms of printing history, the work is remarkable for the clearly visible textile impressions on several sheets, which are a consequence of a printing method which makes use of moist textile sheets, a technical specialty which resulted in an improved printing quality, this method was predominantly used by Johann Zainer

This copy has several other interesting contemporary particularities: Ca. 4 sheets in a somewhat smaller size and paper quality, (cf. A. Schulte, Über das Feuchten des Papiers mit nassen Tüchern bei Joh. Zainer; in Gutenberg-Jb. 1941, pp. 19-22)

Further more the Paste downs are made of single side printings of leaves from the Spiegel des Sünders printed by Johann Zainers brother Günther Zainer in Augsberg (not Ulm) [about 50 mi/82km] There is also a handprint of someone from the time of printing.
With the Provenance “pro Conventu fratrum Minoru(m) Franciscacanoru(m) Reformatoru(M) Bolzanesium” Franciscan convent Bolzano, Tyrol, Italy

Paste Down are leafs 2r & 11r each printed on one side only from the Spiegel des Sünders.
Us location BPL only
Digital reproductions: urn:nbn:de:bvb:12-bsb00032031-1
is00675000. Imprint[Augsburg : Günther Zainer, about 1478]
Format 8°. Goff S675; H 14946*; Schr 5286; E. Freys, Makulatur aus der Presse Günther Zainers, in Gb Jb 1944/45, p. 96; Günt(L) 188; Ohly-Sack 2576; BSB-Ink S-519; GW M43109
Goff A340; Hain: H *574; & (Concordantia only H* 11762); Zehnacker 99; Polain(B) 101; IGI 243; SI 65; IBP 175; IBE 215; CCIR A-34; Coll(S) 34; Coll(U) 55; Madsen 101; Šimáková-Vrchotka 48, 49, 50; Martín Abad A-61; Walsh 904, S-904; Bod-inc A-094; Sheppard 1819; Pr 2523; BMC II 526; BSB-Ink A-133; GW 785
Digital reproductions. Electronic facsimile : Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, München
**************************************************
———II——-
438J Hugo Ripelin 1205-1270 (formerly ascribed to Albertus Magnus)

Compendium theologicae veritatis [with table by Thomas Dorniberg] 1440-1497]
Ulm: Johann Zainer, ca. 1478-80). [not after 1480]
[CIBN dates this as not after 1480 from the date of rubrication in Württemberg LB copy (cf. Amelung, Frühdruck)] furthermore a copy in the Klemm collection, at Leipzig has a rubricator’s date: “1481” Imprint from incipit on leaf [2r] which reads: Theoloyce veritatis co[m]pendium alphabetico ordine registratum ac in regali opido vlma per Joa[n]nem zainer impressum feliciter incipit. Price: $24,000

Folio: 26 x 19 cm. unsigned [a8, b6, c-t8, u6, x6.]. 162 leaves. 40 lines, single column, headlines. Gothic type (type: 4:96G, 5:136G). Each Signature is guarded by vellum from a reused manuscript. Many initials rubricated in red,(excepting most of book two?) capitals accented in red, and section titles underlined in red.
This copy is bound in original red doe skin over beveled wooden boards, decoratively stamped in blind with alternating floral and fleur-de-lis pattern, remnants of original clasps, old paper label on spine, boards and spine heavily rubbed and worn, chip out of top corner of rear board, lower corner worn, spine ends chipped.
¶ There is an old catalogue slipdescription on front paste-down quoting a Katalogle description from “T. (sic. Jacques) Rosenthal “ Buch-und Kunstantiquariat katalogle 18: 1898 number 244; [which dates this edition at 1468] ¶ Most likely typed by WR Siegart who received this book from Dr. Grimm. More interesting, on the front pastedown there is an ownership note by Jacob Hartlieb active 1493-1513. There is a note on the free endpaper which a is a reference, noting a page number in a book by Jakob Wimpheling of Schlestadt, (1450-1528.) licentiate of theology, on the lives of the bishops of Strasbourg, [specifically] in the life of Henry of Germany, the one-time(?) (looks like olim) 65th (?) bishop, writes on folio 42: Then follows Wimpheling’s passage. By the way, this Henry has got to be: Henri de Geroldseck active (1263–1273). Wimpheling notes that he was bishop in 1265.

¶ Wimpheling co-authored a book with Hartlieb. De fide co[n]cubinaru[m] in sacerdotes. Questio accessoria causa ioci et vrbanitatis in q[uo]dlibeto Heydelburge[n]si determinata, quibusda[m] nouis addito[n]ibus denuo illustrata. Jte[m] Questio minus principalis, de eisde[m] facetie causa, p[er] magistru[m] Jacobu[m] Hartlieb determi[n]ata . Ach lieue els. biß myr holt.
Therefor it is not unreasonable to think that both Hartlieb and Wimpheling were friends/coleagues.
On the front past-down is later ownership evidence, an armorial book-plate of German doctor and incunabula collector Ferdinand Herscher (15??-1646) book-plate of Theological Seminary Library, Gettysburg, PA. There are two paper fragments in two different hands laid in at front. lengthy early description in ink on recto of front blank; title in ink at head of first printed leaf; Small scattered worming; damp staining at fore-edge of first 14 leaves; minor dampstaining at bottom edge.

Johann Zainer (d. ca. 1523) was the second printer based in Ulm. Among others, he is remembered for printing the first German translation of Boccaccio’s “De claris mulieribus” in 1473. Only 1.4% of ISTC recorded editions were printed in Ulm.
The “Compendium theologicae” has a long history of being misattributed to an array of authors such as Albert Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Dorinberg, and Bonaventure, among others, but is now more certainly considered to be by Hugo Ripelin The Compendium most probably, if not certainly, was written by Hugh of Stasburg. Other works attributed to him are: “Commentarium in IV libros sententiarum”; “Quodlibeta, quaestiones, disputationes et variae in divinos libros explanationes”. , a Dominican theologian from Strasbourg. Thomas Dorinberg, who complied the edition of 1473 with an index, was for a long time looked upon as the author; others attributed it to Thomas Aquinas.
Among other theologians to whom it was ascribed are Hugh of Saint Cher, Alexander of Hales, Aureolus, the Oxford Dominican Thomas of Sutton, Peter of Tarantasia and others. Apart from the works of Thomas Aquinas, the “Compendium” was the most widely read work of Dominican theology, being used as a textbook for close to 400 years. The Compendium is indeed a monumental achievement. It is notable for its superb organization, its concise exposition of an amplitude of topics and of supporting rationales. It is also, for the most part, written in clear Latin, making it more easily accessible to clergy who may not have been as fluent in Latin as were the monks.
The Compendium is divided into seven books, each having its own set of themes, as
indicated by these books’ titles:
(1) On the Nature of the Deity;
(2) On the Works of the Creator;
(3) The Corrupting Effect of Sin;
(4) On the Humanity o f Christ;
(5) Sanctifying-Effect of Graces; With about 20 pages of hand annotations
(6 The Efficacy of Sacraments;
(7) On the Last Times and on the Punishments of Those Who are Evil
and Rewards of Those Who are Good.

Each of the books is sub-divided into a series of specific issues the development of which is meant to give guidance to preachers and to students of theology. The fact that these issues are so central to Christian belief helps to explain why there survive in 59 printed editions.
ISTC ia00233000: Goff A233; H 438*; Amelung, Frühdruck I 36; Bod-inc A-105; GW 599; BSB-Ink H-399; GW 599 WEVENER #6
(Not in BMC);
¶See: Wegener :Die Zainer in Ulm: Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte des Buchdrucks im XV. Jahrhundert and Amelung, Peter. Der Frühdruck im deutschen Südwesten, 1473-1500. Bd. 1 [etc]. Stuttgart, 1979- [in progress]. I 36
https://data.cerl.org/istc/ia00233000
United States: 1) Union Theo. Seminary 2) Cornell Univ. 3)Duke Univ.


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———-III——–
238J Peregrinus of Opole (1305-1327) Jacobus de Voragine (1229-1298) & Nicolaus de Dinkelsbühl (1360-1433)
Peregrinus: Sermones de tempore et de sanctis. Add: Jacobus de Voragine: Quadragesimale. Nicolaus de Dinkelsbuel: Concordantia in passionem dominicam. Est autem huius operis ordo talis. Primo ponuntur sermones d[omi]nicales de tempore per anni circulu[m]. Secundo de sanctis, Tercio q[ua]dragesimale Jacobi de Foragine, Q[ua]rto concordantia quatuor euangelista[rum] in passiiones d[omi]nicam a magistro Nicolao Dinckelspubell collectam.”/ At end of leaf m8: “Sermones Peregrini de tempore finiunt.
[Ulm: Johann Zainer, not after 1479] (A copy now in Munich BSB has an ownership inscription dated 1479) $11,000.

Folio 27 x 20 cm. “Pars I (188): a-d8, e-k8/6, l-m8, A-C8, D-I8/6, K-N8; (N8 blank and removed) “Pars II (50.): a-f8/6, g8;” 3.”Pars III (40.): A-E8/ [276 (instead of 278) The two blank leaves are missing. 162 & 188 Rubicated throughout. Bound in Calf over wooden boards, with catches and clasp restored.rebacked back restored using old material, cover covers rubbed and with small missing parts). I have located only two U.S.copies both defective. This Copy has very interesting Provenance.


¶ Peregrinus of Opole, was a Silesian Dominican friar, Prior in Wrocław and Racibórz and Provincial of the Polish-East German Order Province.
He was twice elected a provincial of his Order and became designated an inquisitor of Wrocław by the pope John XXII. His major literary achievement is this twofold collection of Latin sermons: Sermones de tempore (sermons on the feasts of the liturgical year) and Sermones de sanctis (sermons on feasts of particular saints). “Peregrinus of Oppeln was Prior of the Polish Dominican province (1305-12, 1322-27). His sermon sequences for the temporal and sanctoral liturgical cycles circulated widely in Germany and eastern Europe. Copied in the midst of the sermons in this manuscript (fols. 50r-51v) are texts concerning the celebration of the Mass, excerpted from the Summa confessorum of John of Freiburg, O.P. (†1304). The first gathering of the book is copied in two columns; therafter the text is copied in long lines. The sermons were copied by several writers in typical German cursive bookhands of the fifteenth century (see plate 5: fol. 114r, sermon for the feast of St. Andrew beginning the Sermones de sanctis).”
Jacobus de Voragine wrote several series of sermons, The Lenten sermons (Quadragesimale) were written between 1277 and 1286. These sermons were only slightly less popular than his “Legend,” and also known as ‘Golden’ on account of their popularity (there are more than 300 known manuscript copies). The genre of the Sermones quadragesimale did not exist as a distinct genre before the 1260’s This Dominican best-seller author Jacopo da Voragine, and the works of preachers from his own generation, like Peregrinus von Opeln [See above] have a strong sermo modernus structure and contain numerous exempla drawn from the world of nature.
¶Nicolaus de Dinkelsbuel. Magister in 1390, BUT The ascription of the Concordantia to Nicolaus de Dinkelsbühl (c 1360-1433) is mistaken. Although he is known as the author of a passion story ( Collecta et praedicata de passione Christi. 1472). he did not produce a concordance to it, But he is in fact listed as one of the authors cited in the work. (See A Madre, Nicolaus de Dinkelsbühl, Leben und Schriften, 1965, p 310.)
Only two North American copies, both defective.
Harvard University (- ff 189-278)
Bryn Mawr College, (ff 239-278)
Goff P267; HC 12581*; C 4407; IGI 7404; IBP 4241; Madsen 3083; Voull(B) 2629,5; Hubay(Augsburg) 1582; Hubay(Eichstätt) 794; Borm 2059; Walsh 909; Rhodes(Oxford Colleges) 1340; BMC II 529; BSB-Ink P-183; GW M30917 – Wegener, Zainer 9 – BSB-Ink P-183 – Proctor 2542 ISTC ip00267000.
https://data.cerl.org/istc/ip00267000
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