Leo I's Sermones

Leo I's Sermones
Lucas Dominici, 1482
LEO I, Pope (c. 400-461). Sermones. Edited by Johannes Andreae, Bishop of Aleria. Venice: Lucas Dominici Filius Venetus, 7 August 1482.

Early edition of the sermons of Pope Leo the Great, with illuminated initial. Leo’s papacy encompassed an important period in the history of the church, including the Council of Chalcedon, during which many issues of doctrine were settled. He was among the envoys sent by Emperor Valentinian III to negotiate peace with Atilla the Hun. His sermons were printed seven times in the incunable period. HC 10012*; BMC V 281; BSB-Ink L-102; Bod-inc L-068; IGI 5725; Goff L-134; ISTC il00134000.

Chancery folio (299 x 207mm). 126 leaves (of 128, without first and last blanks). Illuminated initial with floral sprays on a4 and armorial roundel with floral sprigs in bas-de-page, other initials in brown ink (some spotting and browning, ink burn from some ink initials). Modern brown morocco. Provenance: armorial, party per pale argent and azure, a bend gules? with initials D.P. – Convent of Saint Jerome "extra asylum" (inscription) – acquired from Parke-Bernet Galleries, 10 April 1956, lot 199.