Title: Vitae Sanctorum Patrum, Sive Vitas Patrum. Add: De Laude et Effectu Virtutum. Pseudo- Macarius: Epistola ad monachos, 1483. With Some Handwritten Marginalia
Author: Attributed to Saint Jerome
Publisher: Venice, Octavianus Scotus
Condition: Very Good
Price: 3400
A late 15th century edition of Saint Jerome’s Lives of the Saints, or Lives of the Fathers. The work is considered the most significant hagiographic collection of medieval literature. The collection was varied and expanded over the centuries, with the main source attributed to St. Jerome and, for more recent legends, to the 'Legenda aurea' by Jacopo da Varagine.
This copy bears some handwritten, contemporary to near-contemporary marginalia, primarily to the first third of the volume.
The 8-leaf index preceding the main text is lacking, beginning with the incipit on leaf b1. Still, the main text is complete.
One vellum bound volume in quarto, 252 of 260 leaves
This volume is in very good shape, with minimal rubbing and wear to the binding. There are a few wormholes to the outer margins, not affecting text. The upper margins of the last two leaves have been restored, with a bit of minor letter loss to the register. There is some scattered dampstaining throughout.