Methodius, Saint

4to (196 x 133mm.), 68 leaves, a-g⁸ h-i⁶, 36 lines, printed marginalia, woodcut illustrations, 3- to 8-line woodcut initials, some initial spaces, nineteenth-century calf with gilt fillets, spine gilt in compartments, marbled edges, b5 torn and repaired without loss, printed marginalia shaved on a few leaves, occasional light staining, rebacked retaining original spine

Goff M524; HC 11121; BMC iii 785; Bod-inc M-209; BSB-Ink M352; Schreiber 4648; GW M23059; cf. Fairfax Murray, German 289 (1504 edition)

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."

Though attributed to St Methodius (martyred in 312) and translated by Aytinger, a monk from Augsburg, it is now thought to have been composed in Syriac in the seventh century but only known in its Latin or Greek versions until the twentieth century. It relates the effect of the Arab conquests of the near east on the Christian communities there, seeing them as a punishment from God for the lapsed ways of the Christians, but prophesying the rise of a messiah in the form of a Roman emperor to crush the Turks and the Saracens. This is one of several apocalyptic texts circulating at the time, and was probably the most widespread.

This is the first illustrated edition of this text, which must have been successful as Furter regularly reprinted it using the same blocks. The woodcuts are not of equal artistic merit, and a few may have been made for other publications, such as Brant's Ship of Fools. There is an early depiction of a Caesarian section (the birth of the Antichrist) and the prophesied conquest of Constantinople in 1509 by the last Roman Emperor.