Paulus de Sancta Maria

Chancery folio (264 x 189mm.), 217 leaves (of 218, without final blank), [a–b¹⁰ c¹² d–k¹⁰ l⁸ m–r¹⁰ s¹² t–x¹⁰ y⁶], 39 lines, gothic type, 8-line initial in red and blue with penwork decoration at start of text, 3- to 7-line initials in red, red paraphs, early manuscript contents list on front flyleaf, 4 manuscript leaves at end (in a contemporary German hand), later manuscript notes in Latin regarding the edition on verso of flyleaf, contemporary blind-stamped calf over wooden boards from the bindery of St Godehard, Hildesheim (EDBD w000212), metal corners, two clasps, later lettering-pieces on spine, first few leaves with crude repairs to edges, occasional light staining, upper joint cracking

Benedictines of St Godehard, Hildesheim (dissolved 1803), erased inscription on flyleaf

Goff P201; HC 10763; BMC i 54; BSB-Ink P-45; Bod-inc P-045; GW M29971

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."

FIRST EDITION, produced by Johann Mentelin, the first printer in Strassburg, the first town to which printing spread from Mainz. He had previously worked as a scribe and notary, and was directly connected with Gutenberg, who had spent time in Strassburg in the 1430s and 1440s. His first book, a Latin Bible, is dated 1460 by a rubricator, and Mentelin continued printing until his death in 1478. His business was continued by his widow and his sons-in-law.

The contents list includes a copy of a bull from 1470 about the Jubilee, no longer present in this volume. The manuscript leaves at the end contain Tabula negligentiarum contingentium circa celebrationis missarum cum remediis earundem.

Paulus de Sancta Maria (c. 1351-1435) was a Spanish Jew named Solomon ha-Levi, who converted to Christianity and became archbishop of Burgos in 1415. This is an anti-Jewish work which comprises a dialogue between the Jewish Saul and Christian Paul, written in 1432.