Ludolph of Saxony's Vita Christi

Ludolph of Saxony's Vita Christi
Simon Bevilaqua, 1498
LUDOLPHUS DE SAXONIA (c.1295-1378). Vita Christi. Venice: Simon Bevilaqua [for Paganinus de Paganinis?], 7 December 1498.

One of the most popular devotional works of the later Middle Ages, bound in attractive 16th-century Italian morocco gilt. The first edition was printed in Strasbourg in 1474. According to Polain, this edition was printed for Paganinus de Paganinis. H 9877*; BSB-Ink L-267; Polain(B) 2538; Goff L349; ISTC il00349000.

Chancery quarto (178 x 119mm). 480 leaves. Title printed in red and black. Woodcut of Saint Peter (a few blank corners torn away, some toning and dust-soiling). 16th-century Italian morocco gilt over wooden boards, “Vita Christi” stamped in gilt on rear board, gauffered gilt ages (lacking clasps, rebacked with portions of original spine retained). Provenance: some marginalia and several inscriptions, one poem about the book and another dated 1576 – erased stamp on title.