Title: Summa Theologica, 1496. Volume II of III in Two Tomes. Aquinas’s Masterpiece, Rubricated and in Original Boards
Author: Thomas Aquinas
Publisher: Nuremberg, Anton Koberger
Condition: Very Good
A late 15th century edition of Aquinas’ Summa Theologica, being one of the great classics in the history of philosophy, theology, and one of the most influential works of Western literature in general. Being an expanded and structured version of Aquinas’s Summa contra Gentiles, the Summa was first written in the mid 13th century, and finally fully published in 1485, being a massive and monumental work comprising of 3125 articles. This work was intended as an instructional guide for students of theology, seminarians, and the literate laity. Being a compendium of all of the major theological teachings of the Catholic Church, it presented the reasoning for almost all points of Christian theology in the Western World. Even among non-scholars, the Summa has become famous for its five arguments on the existence of God, although this is only of the several thousand articles. Aquinas also cites a variety of sources from various faiths and beliefs, including those of pagan backgrounds. From Boethius to Plato, Cicero and more, Aquinas had created a work to last centuries.
These two volumes comprise the entirety of the second of three volumes.
Both volumes have been rubricated throughout, with Lombard initials in red and blue.
The title page has an old provenance stamp of "Bibliothek Memmingen”.
The volumes are still present in their original leather bindings over wooden boards, with some traces of the blind stamping visible, however worn they are. The clasps are no longer functioning. There are also incunabula pastedowns to both volumes.
Two finely bound volumes in folio, 188, 274 leaves
These volumes are in very good shape, with heavy rubbing and wear to the bindings, and portions of the spine strips lacking. There is some browning and damp staining in places, with slight traces of mildew to a few leaves. The second tome of Volume II has some worming, heavier at the end, mostly to the outer margins.