Hugh of St. Victor's De sacramentis Christianae fidei

Hugh of St. Victor's De sacramentis Christianae fidei
Günther Zainer, c.1477
HUGO DE SANCTO VICTORE (1096-1141). De sacramentis Christianae fidei. [Augsburg: Günther Zainer, c.1477.]

First edition of Hugh of St. Victor’s mystic encyclopedia of Christian thought, in a contemporary binding. This is part II of the text only; the entire work would not see print until 1485. A Christian neo-platonist by way of the influence of Augustine and Pseudo-Dionysius, Hugh taught at the famous Abbey of St. Victor, which became reknowned for his particular brand of learned and pious mysticism (and at whose library Rabelais would poke fun in the following century). This work was the most important summation of Christian theology until Thomas Aquinas, and continues to have a wide and perhaps surprising influence. HC(+Add) 9023*; GW 13630; BMC II 325; BSB-Ink H-434; Bod-inc H-243; Goff H-536; ISTC ih00536000.

Chancery folio (285 x 204mm). 141 leaves (of 142, without initial blank). Woodcut initials (dampstaining at ends, last few leaves with some worming and stains). Contemporary blindstamped calf over wooden boards, brass clasp with catchplate, title on label on upper board, author’s name in ink on bottom edge, remains of paper labels on spine (rebacked to style, joints cracked, worming). Provenance: "Conventi Bolsanendi "(inscription and bookplate) – acquired from H.P. Kraus, New York, 4 May 1955.