FRANCISCUS DE RETZA (c. 1343-1427; falsely attributed to). De Generatione Christi, sive Defensorium castitatis B.M.V. [Strasbourg: Printer of the Breviarium Ratisponense (Georgius de Spira?), c. 1479-1482]

FRANCISCUS DE RETZA (c. 1343-1427; falsely attributed to). De Generatione Christi, sive Defensorium castitatis B.M.V. [Strasbourg: Printer of the Breviarium Ratisponense (Georgius de Spira?), c. 1479-1482]

First typographic edition, exceptionally rare (no auction record, and a single record of the 1490 reprint), of a successful work which had theretofore only appeared as a blockbook; though type-set editions retain a primarily graphic and visual nature, this edition also stands out as the first to combine Latin and German in the interpretation of the images. Through a series of images accompanied by captions, the author generates a multitude of symbols all referring to the dogma of Mary virgin and mother. He depicts and describes instances of exceptions to the laws of nature taken from natural sciences, historical accounts, mythology, the Bible. Among his sources are Christian writers such as Augustine, Isidore of Sevilla, Bartholomaeus Anglicus, Albertus Magnus, but also classical authors like Vitruvius, Valerius Maximus and Ovid. The text consists of up to sixty exempla that vary in number and order according to the different redactions and editions. The illustrations, lived on in panel and mural paintings as well as in the sculptural decorations. In 1498 Sebastian Brant adapted the verses in sixty-two distichs. A wide-margined copy, preserving some deckle edges. HC 6085*; ISTC ir00151000; BMC II, p. 486; GW 10273; Fairfax Murray, German, 358; Schreiber 4046; Schramm XVI, pp. 10 and 16; F. Schanze, ‘Der Drucker des Breviarium Ratisponense (Georgius de Spira)’, in: GbJb 69 (1994), pp. 67-77, esp. pp. 75-77; Goff R 151.

Quarto (193 x 140mm). 29 leaves (of 30, without the first blank). 32 lines, type 1:88G, rubricated throughout, initials not supplied. 53 woodcuts, of which 2 full-page (light staining towards the end.) Modern red morocco, sides filleted in blind. Provenance: probably Edmée Maus (see Arnim, Katalog der Bibliothek Otto Scha¨fer, 132n) - Geneva, Nicolas Rauch, May 1963, lot 35 - Schweinfurt, Otto Schäfer collection (OS 313), acquired from Rauch auction through A. Lauter.

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