VINCENT OF BEAUVAIS (c.1184-1264). Speculum historiale. [Strasbourg: The R-Printer (Adolph Rusch), about 1473.]

First printed edition of the great encyclopedia of the Middle Ages, parts 1 and 2, in a contemporary binding with decorated initials. The edition of Rusch's father-in-law, Johann Mentelin, was also published in December of 1473, but this may have preceded it. The Speculum historiale is part of Vincent’s life project: the Speculum maius (The Great Mirror). The most widely read of all its constituent parts, the Historiale comprises an epic history of the world. Vincent incorporates a variety of sources, including extensive quotations from hundreds of ancient and Medieval sources. This is the only copy of this work recorded at auction by RBH and ABPC since an also incomplete copy sold in 1986. C 6245; Goff V282; Bod-inc V-133; BSB-Ink V-202; ISTC iv00282000.

Two parts (of four) in one, imperial folio (477 x 333mm). Part I: 154 leaves [of 156, lacking first blank and text leaf d1]; part II: 176 leaves. Large penwork and watercolor initials throughout, rubricated with flourished red initials with occasional figural decoration also in red and occasionally in green (some dampstaining and browning, some initials a little smeared, with dampstain around many decorated initials, leaf P3 with large repaired tear in text, closed tear in printed area of O7, a little worming at ends). Contemporary blind-ruled pigskin, catchplates (front board and first leaf detached, lacking bosses and straps, worming). Provenance: Heilbronn Carmelites (inscription, dissolved in 1802) – Ignatius Frederick Horstmann (1840-1908, Bishop of Cleveland, OH and alumnus of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary; inscription, likely gifted to:) – St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (stamps, sold their sale, Swann Galleries, 27 October 2015, lot 159).