![LUTHER, Martin (1483-1546). An den Christlichen Adel Deutscher Nation von des Christlichen Standes besserung. Wittenberg: [Melchior Lotter, 1520].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/CKS/2017_CKS_14301_0154_000(luther_martin_an_den_christlichen_adel_deutscher_nation_von_des_christ031721).jpg?w=1)
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LUTHER, Martin (1483-1546). An den Christlichen Adel Deutscher Nation von des Christlichen Standes besserung. Wittenberg: [Melchior Lotter, 1520].
The first edition of the ‘manifesto of the Reformation’. ‘This was Luther’s answer to the Bull of Excommunication published in Rome in June 1520 and it had a powerful effect on all classes of society […] It led to movements of nationalism and to social reforms not all of which Luther himself would have approved […] ‘To the Christian Nobility’ was published in the middle of August 1520 and by the eighteenth of the month four thousand copies were sold; seventeen further editions were published in the sixteenth century’ (PMM). Benzing 683; PMM 49; STC German p.541.
Small quarto (183 x 140mm). 6-line woodcut initial on A3. With the blank M4 (first and last gatherings strengthened in gutter, small portion of lower corner of title restored, some light dampstaining). Modern limp vellum, housed in a red quarter morocco box. Provenance: ink inscription at foot of title.
The first edition of the ‘manifesto of the Reformation’. ‘This was Luther’s answer to the Bull of Excommunication published in Rome in June 1520 and it had a powerful effect on all classes of society […] It led to movements of nationalism and to social reforms not all of which Luther himself would have approved […] ‘To the Christian Nobility’ was published in the middle of August 1520 and by the eighteenth of the month four thousand copies were sold; seventeen further editions were published in the sixteenth century’ (PMM). Benzing 683; PMM 49; STC German p.541.
Small quarto (183 x 140mm). 6-line woodcut initial on A3. With the blank M4 (first and last gatherings strengthened in gutter, small portion of lower corner of title restored, some light dampstaining). Modern limp vellum, housed in a red quarter morocco box. Provenance: ink inscription at foot of title.
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