Bernard de Gordonio, 1498

BERNARDUS DE GORDONIO (fl. 1270–1330). Practica, seu Lilium medicinae. Venice: Bonetus Locatellus, for Octavianus Scotus, 1498.

Final incunable edition (seventh overall) of Bernardus’ medical tracts. Bernardus de Gordonio was a celebrated physician and professor at the University of Montpellier, renowned for its medical faculty. Bernardus' reputation reached across Europe and he was even cited by Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales as an authority alongside Hippocrates, Galen, Rhasis and Avicenna. Founded in 1220, the University of Montepellier was a central hub of learning in the Middle Ages and it ‘would be difficult to find a more worthy representative of Montpellier’s claim to fame, of the academic tradition, and of the medical profession around 1300 than Bernard of Gordon.’ (Demaitre). L. Demaitre, Doctor Bernard de Gordon (Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, 1980). HR 7804 = 7803 (I); BMC VI 604; CIBN B-320; GW 4087; Goff B454; Klebs 180.1; ISTC ib00454000.

Chancery folio (288 × 195mm). 129 leaves (of 130, without final blank). Woodcut initials (intermittent minor staining, heavier on title-page and last page, small corner dampstain to f2-3 and f6-7, scattered spotting, mostly to b and d quires, a few instances of small marginal wormholes, wormhole just touching lettering on g5-h.) Early vellum, manuscript title on spine (text block separating, some lifting and repair to endpapers, minor soiling/darkening). Provenance: ‘Cremonese’ (inscription on title, also an erased inscription on title).