Augustinus, Aurelius

Royal folio (380 x 263mm.), 271 leaves (of 274, without 3 blank leaves), [*, **⁸; a-z [et]¹⁰ [con]⁸ [rum]¹⁰], 50 lines, roman type, first page of text with two illuminated initials with white vine stem decoration, arms within a leafy roundel at foot, other 8- to 11-line illuminated initials with white vine stem decoration, 2-line initials in red or blue, chapter headings supplied in red in a fine humanist hand throughout, a few early annotations, late eighteenth-century diced russia gilt (by Roger Payne?), spine gilt in compartments, some show-through from illuminated initials, occasional light staining, flyleaf torn above Wodhull's signature, binding rubbed, joints cracked

Dentice delle Stelle (a noble Neapolitan family), arms on first leaf of text; Michael Wodhull, inscription on flyleaf dated 11 December 1781, with price £4-4s, and note "of Payne" (presumably the bookseller Payne and Foss), and the date 18 December 1794 at end, his sale, Sotheby's, 13 January 1886, lot 250 ("Harleian gold tooling"), £11-10s

Goff A1233; H 2048; BMC v 153; BSB-Ink A-855; Bod-inc A-520; GW 2877; Grosjean & O'Connell 10

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."

FROM THE FIRST PRINTSHOP IN VENICE. This is one of two editions of The City of God printed in 1470, following editions in 1467 and 1468; this is the first Venetian edition. Johannes de Spira (John of Speyer) was granted a five-year privilege in 1469 which gave him a monopoly over printing in Venice, but his death shortly after, in 1470, opened the Venetian market to other players. Johannes was succeeded by his brother Vindelinus, who continued printing up to 1477.

The verse colophon tells us that Johannes had printed a Cicero and a Pliny in 100 copies in the space of three months, and that his brother Vindelinus completed the book he had begun, i.e. this edition of Augustine. It is the first book in which Vindelinus is mentioned by name.