Rare Incunabula- The Koberger Bible Volume 3
Posted by Richard Gabriel on Fri, Feb 19, 2010 @ 08:51 AM
Featured on our web page is the Koberger Bible, Volume 3 of four volumes printed by Anton Koberger in 1487. Volume three has many woodcuts that are quite stunning and help tell the story of the Bible. Nicholas De Lyra, the author, many years deceased, has his notations on the inside of the boxes in this Bible. De Lyra believed in a 'Literal' view of the Bible and its contents and did not believe in the 'Mythical or Mystical' interpretations that were fulminating across Europe. Volume 3 begins with the prologus or introduction:
and at the bottom of the page are some ownership notations of F. Gallus Winc Kellmann, Profc. Banth. Along with the punch name of Philadelphia Divinity School. On the inside cover, we find the notations of the titles found in this volume along with the paste down of the Divinity School and the bookplate of Joseph M Lybrand and on the opposite blank fly leaf we find the signature of Daniel Kendig and a more current owner in pencil with an inventory number.
What's even more interesting are the "Tudor Roses" that have been worked into the pigskin covering of this volume. Koberger was known for his 'international' book selling and had held the first European 'Book Fair' displaying not only his works but also the works of other presses across Europe. He sold his works across Europe and that would include of course, what we today call the United Kingdom or England. Henry VII's reign (1457-1509), also known as Henry Tudor would certainly have been interested in the works of De Lyra, as would his son, Henry VIII, who would later in his reign, stress the 'literal' version of the bible over the 'imagery' of the bible. Ironically, De Lyra was the basis for much of the movements away from the central church, certainly Martin Luther was influenced by him but yet, Koberger turned down Martin Luther as a printer and publisher, one of the few mistakes that Koberger made in becoming the wealthiest and most successful book publisher, printer and binder of his time. We would love to hear from you! Don't forget to visit our Ebay store
