[Augustinus, Aurelius]

small 8vo (135 x 94mm.), text in black letter within woodcut borders depicting biblical figures and memento mori, later red leather gilt, lacking leaves A1-B2, but sections of the title page [?] laid down to a preliminary blank, lacking B6-B8, E1, E8, and all after O3, free endpapers removed, small piece of paper laid down over first two words on B3

William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899

STC 926 [?]

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."

Certaine select prayers, which is now thought unlikely to be by Augustine himself, was published in a number of editions in the late sixteenth century, usually with a second part titled "S. Augustine’s manuell". In only two of the editions listed in ESTC does this second part start, as is supposed in the present copy, at leaf O4, rather than earlier in the collation.

Comparison with the copies held in the Huntington Library suggests this copy is probably an example of John Daye’s 1577 edition, although there remain some points of difference. These include the use of roman numerals throughout in the signatures (the Huntington copy has arabic numerals for the B gathering) and minor variations in spelling and setting in the memento mori in the sill-piece of the borders of each page.