Tertullianus

Chancery folio (220 x 154mm.), 30 leaves (first leaf blank), a-c⁸ d⁶, 35 lines, roman letter, one 9-line initial space and numerous 2-line initial spaces with printed guides, modern red morocco by the Cockerell Bindery with remains of old calf binding and binder's note pasted at end, modern brown buckram folding box, later manuscript foliation at foot (indicating it was once bound with other works, before the previous calf binding), retaining old endleaves from Sammelband (with watermark "Limosin │Fin" datable to Paris in the later eighteenth century), all margins cut close, last leaf with small tear at head

probably William Roscoe, sale, Liverpool, 19 August 1816, lot 585, noted in Mendham's copy of the Roscoe sale catalogue; Law Society, armorial bookplate

HR 15444; GW M45647; IGI 9485

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Tertullian's treatise, written in c. 197AD, sought to indemnify Christians against unlawful attacks and unfair legal trials. He is considered an eloquent and persuasive writer who was instrumental in the development of theological Latin discourse.

One of only two incunable editions of Tertullian, the other printed in Venice not after 1494 (BMC v 376). Rare. ISTC records ten copies, of which only three are located outside Italy (the other edition survives in about 100 copies). It seems plausible, given the rarity, that this is William Roscoe's copy, as Mendham owned a copy of Roscoe's sale catalogue and had marked this lot (he also bought his Complutensian Polyglot Bible from the Roscoe sale; see lot 15). However, the recent binding retains no earlier marks of provenance.