Title: Summa theologica, 1477-1480
Author: Antonius Florentinus
Publisher: Venetiis, Nicolaus Jenson; Venetiis, Johannes de Colonia et Johann Manthen
Condition: Good
A 15th century edition of the Summa Theologica of Antonius Florentinus, the complete set of four parts on moral philosophy, in a mixed set by two different printers. Four of the five volumes come from the Venetian printing press of Nicolas Jenson, with publishing dates of 1479 for Part I, 1477 for II, 1480 for III-1, 1477 for III-2, and 1480 for IV. The second volume comes from the press of Johannes de Colonia and Johann Manthen, also from Venice, and dated 1477
On Florentinus, he was born Antonio Pierozzi in Florence of the year 1389, and entered the Dominican Order in 1405 at the young age of 16. From 1433-1446, he served as vicar of the congregation, and became Archbishop of Florence, at the behest of Pope Eugene. His actions of kindness and self-sacrifice won the esteem and love of his people, especially when Florence was struck and plague and earthquake in 1448 and 1453. After his death, he was later canonized by Pope Adrian VI.
As for Jenson, the printer, he was also an engraver and designer, acting as Master of the French Royal Mint, and credited as the creator of one of the finest early Roman type faces. It was Jenson’s emergence in Venice that heralded him as one of the first great centers of the printing press
The main text block is printed in a two-column format, with 55-56 lines of text for the Jenson volumes, and 53 lines for the Colonia and Manthen volume.
Volume one has rubrication in red to the first 16 leaves, with one large red Lombard initial at the prologue, and smaller lombards throughout. There are annotations to the margins, with numerous manicules and underlining in red to some annotations. Volume two is rubricated in red and blue throughout, with red and blue Lombard initials, several larger ones being a mix of both colors. There are annotations to the margins, and several manicules. Volume three is rubricated in red and blue throughout, with red and blue Lombard initials, though only sparsely in some sections. There is a beautiful painted miniature of an angel to the main initial in the prologue, though the color is flaking to the top right, and a trailing design to the gutter. There are a few annotations to the margins, and several manicules. Volume four is rubricated in red and blue throughout, with red and blue Lombard initials, and a large elaborate initial painted blue with red trailing designs. There are annotations to the margins, and several manicules. There is no rubrication to volume 5, with a few annotations in the margins, and several manicules.
The last four volumes bear the bookplate of Manuel II, last King of Portugal, referred to as both “The Patriot”, and “The Unfortunate”.
Having been an avid reader all his life, Manuel devoted himself to the study of literature shortly after his exile, producing numerous treatises on Medieval and Renaissance literature in Portugal. He later became a bibliographer, creating a massive bibliography of all the older books in his library, publishing Livros Antigos Portuguezes 1489–1600, da Bibliotheca de Sua Magestade Fidelissima Descriptos por S. M. El-Rey D. Manuel em Tres volumes, though the third volume was posthumously published as he died unexpected in 1932.
4 parts bound into 5 volumes in folio (26 x 18 or 28 x 20 cm), 254, 365 of 366, 345 of 352, 314 of 320, 368 of 374 leaves
On note of condition, these volumes are in good shape, with some rubbing and wear to the bindings, staining to the boards, and light cracks to the spines. Part I has damp staining mostly to the margins at the beginning, as well as sparse old mold marks, up to the first 38 leaves. There is light damp staining to the margins to several pages. Part II has some damp staining to the margins as well as sparse old mold marks, up to the first 45 leaves, and marginal restorations to several leaves. There is light soiling to the margins. Leaf w is lacking. Part III-1 has damp staining to the first 15 and last 10 leaves, with marginal restorations to the first and last 4 leaves. The first prologue leaf has been heavily trimmed away leaving only the text, with a square at the top also cut out. Leaves a1, a5, a7, a9, t9-10, and k8 are lacking. Part III-2 has damp staining to the first 7 and last 18 leaves, with marginal restorations to the first 8 and last 9 leaves. Leaves e, u, le, w, f, and a5 are lacking. Part IV has damp staining to the margins throughout. There are several small wormholes, mostly to the margins, and one wormhole in the main text throughout the volume, obscuring or partially obscuring 1-2 letters on every leaf. There is a second small wormhole that develops in the text, obscuring or partially obscuring 1-2 letters on 28 leaves. The pages and text blocks not affected by staining or sporing are all relatively clean and fresh. There is light worming noted to the margins and the gutters of several pages through all 5 volumes, occasionally obscuring a letter. Leaves g 4-7, ß2 and 9 are missing, replaced by blanks.