an-incunable-from-1487-i-the-contemplative-life-i-with-early-manuscript
Lot 4143
An Incunable from 1487, The Contemplative Life, with Early Manuscript
Lot Details & Additional Photographs
Prosper Aquitanus. DE VITA CONTEMPLATIVA. DE VITA ACTUALI. [Speyer: Peter Drach], 1487. Later green blind paneled leather boards. 4to; a-c8 d-f6 g8 (g8 blank); 50 leaves. Gothic type, double-columns; text in Latin. Goff P-1023; USTC 748339; ISTC ip01023000.

7 1/4 x 5 1/2 in.

From the Collection of Professor Roberto Severino, Washington, D.C.

The author is likely Julianus Pomerius, per ISTC, and the treatise De Vita Contemplativa is his only surviving work.

This copy with 16th-century manuscript on title, and 16th-century or later hand coloring on title and embellishments to letters throughout.

Sturdy boards but with edgewear, corners rubbed, mild warping, spine with leather losses and cracking at joint; paste-downs with bookplates, light wear, glue residue at front with free endpaper glued to front paste-down at inner margin; mild cracking at front hinge; several leaves with small corner losses or tears, or small corner repairs; pages toned with occasional light grime, foxing, and light damp staining; upper margin closely trimmed; a very good copy of this incunable.