Augustine's De consensu evangelistarum

Augustine's De consensu evangelistarum
Printer of the De consensu evangelistarum, 1473
AUGUSTINUS, Aurelius (354-430). De consensu evangelistarum. Lauingen: [Eponymous Press,] 12 April 1473.

First edition of Augustine’s work on the Harmony of the Gospels, one of two books printed at Lauingen in the 15th century. The press at this small town on the Danube in Swabia was probably associated with the convent of Augustinian Hermits there. The present work addresses the differences and distinctive qualities of each Gospel, likely in response to the attacks of the pagan philosopher Porphyry regarding the discrepancies within the four narratives of the life of Christ. One other book, Augustine's De anima et spiritu, dated 9 November 1472 but without a stated place of printing, is ascribed to the same anonymous Lauingen press on the basis of the type—one of the earliest roman types used in Germany. HC 1981*; GW 2897; BMC II 545; BSB-Ink A-866; Bod-inc A-539; Goff A-1257; ISTC ia01257000.

Chancery folio (270 x 180mm). 107 leaves (of 108, without initial blank). Larger red painted initial at beginnings of book 3 and 4, woodcut initials, many painted over in red (a little marginal dampstaining and fingersoiling, a few spots). 19th-century morocco gilt by Holloway (light wear). Provenance: occasional marginalia – Eichstätt, Bavaria, Dominicans, St. Peter (bookplate dated 1742 on first leaf) – Henry Hucks Gibbs (1819-1907, 1st Baron Aldenham, merchant banker; armorial bookplate of Aldenham House, Herts, and signature dated 1866) – acquired from Lathrop C. Harper, New York, 3 February 1966.