Melanchthon, Philipp

7 pages (6 1/8 x 3 3/4 in.; 158 x 101 mm) written in ink on 4 leaves of a quire bound preceding a copy of a scarce edition of Martin Luther's Geystliche Lieder.Mit einer newen Vorrhede (Psalmen und Geistliche Lieder, welche von fromen Christen gemacht und zusamen gelesen sind), Leipzig: Valentin Babst, 1547, 2 parts in one volume, 8vo (VD16 ZV 6456; not in Benzing). The manuscript leaves a bit soiled. The Luther hymnal features a four-part metal-cut criblé border on each page, 22 (of 27) large woodcut illustrations, and printed music on staves; lacking B1, C4, F6, I8, R1. Contemporary binding of linen over paper boards, the covers with floral embroidery and applied "decoupage" of painted silk depicting on the front Jesus with the cross and on the rear Eve with a spindle ("When Adam delved and Eve span"), representing the mystical union between Christ and the Church, plain endpapers, blue edges; lightly soiled, extremities worn. Russet cloth folding-case.

Eobanus Hessus (contemporary clipped signature pasted to the front free endpaper) — Nicklaus Apell (contemporary clipped inscription, "Nicklaus Apell meynem lieben," with an early annotation attributing it to Luther's hand pasted to the front free endpaper) — "E. Bibliotheca B. Antistitis primarii Nor. Justi Jacobi Leibnitzii cujus manus ad Chrirographum B. Lutheri heic conspicitur" (eighteenth-century inscription on front free endpaper) — Christie's London, 24 November 1993, lot 111 ("Property of a Lady"). acquisition: Purchased at the foregoing sale.

7 pages (6 1/8 x 3 3/4 in.; 158 x 101 mm) written in ink on 4 leaves of a quire bound preceding a copy of a scarce edition of Martin Luther's Geystliche Lieder.Mit einer newen Vorrhede (Psalmen und Geistliche Lieder, welche von fromen Christen gemacht und zusamen gelesen sind, Leipzig: Valentin Babst, 1547, 2 parts in one volume, 8vo (VD16 ZV 6456; not in Benzing). The manuscript leaves a bit soiled. The Luther hymnal features a four-part metal-cut criblé border on each page, 22 (of 27) large woodcut illustrations, and printed music on staves; lacking B1, C4, F6, I8, R1. Contemporary binding of linen over paper boards, the covers with floral embroidery and applied "decoupage" of painted silk depicting on the front Jesus with the cross and on the rear Eve with a spindle ("When Adam delved and Eve span"), representing the mystical union between Christ and the Church, plain endpapers, blue edges; lightly soiled, extremities worn. Russet cloth folding-case.
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The present volume was evidently intended as a wedding gift. Melanchthon was resident in Wittenberg in 1548, but there is no clue as to the recipient of this book in his published correspondence. His commentary, which is apparently unpublished, argues that God instructs men and women to marry, be fruitful, and multiply, and that He is pleased by the state of matrimony, which is a reflection of the love between the Son of God and his people.

"Bedenkt mit grossem uliess, dise trostlich wort, Gott sprach … Das dise ordnung sein soll, und gut und yhm gefellig sein soll, das menschyliche natur, also geschaffen un zusamen gefüget werden soll, das also fur und fur yhm ein volkes geboren werde, zu seiner erkantnus  und zu erbschapft ewiger seligkeit, und beschlüsst bey sich und verkündiget der Ehestand gehalten werden muss und will mit grausamen plagen den Ehebruch und alle unordnung wider seinen Radt staffen. Aber den Ehelichen will hulff thun, und will seine ordnung erhalden. Dises alles ist gefasst in dise Wort, Gott hatt solches gesprochen, und ober dieses alles, so ist die ehelich zusamenfügung. Ein bild der weltlich lieb zwischen dem Son Gottes und seiner Menschen. …"

A remarkable conjunction of the two principal architects of the Protestant Reformation.