Franciscus de Retza's Comestorium vitiorum

Franciscus de Retza's Comestorium vitiorum
Johann Sensenschmidt and Heinrich Kefer, for Heinrich Rumel, 1470
RETZA, Franciscus de (1343-1427). Comestorium vitiorum. Nuremberg: [Johann Sensenschmidt and Heinrich Kefer for Heinrich Rumel, 14]70.

First edition of a treatise on the seven deadly sins and the corresponding virtues, illuminated and in a contemporary binding. This work was the first dated book printed at Nuremberg; it appeared the same year as a small Gerson tract from the same press. Sensenschmidt, Nuremberg's prototypographer, probably learned to print at Mainz and may have worked with Pfister on the 36-line Bible at Bamberg before establishing his own shop at Nuremberg in about 1469. HC 13884*; BMC II 403; BSB-Ink F-250; GW 10270; Bod-inc F-099; Goff R-150; ISTC ir00150000.

Royal folio (384 x 274mm). 292 leaves. First leaf with large illuminated initial and simple bas-de-page design, red and blue initials, red capital strokes and paragraph marks (some dampstaining and other stains, some leaves chipped, more at ends, some worming at end, marginal patch repairs in final quire, some leaves loose). Contemporary blindstamped pigskin over wooden boards, brass catchplates, remains of paper label on upper board (hinges cracked and repaired, missing straps and bosses, cracks in leather). Provenance: Franciscus Fischell (note of purchased dated [15]21) – acquired from William H. Schab, New York, 8 February 1960.