![VINCENTIUS BELLOVACENSIS (c.1190-c.1264). Speculum naturale, part I. [Strassburg: Printer of the Legenda aurea, not after 13 December 1481].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2003/CKS/2003_CKS_06704_0109_000(054431).jpg?w=1)
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VINCENTIUS BELLOVACENSIS (c.1190-c.1264). Speculum naturale, part I. [Strassburg: Printer of the Legenda aurea, not after 13 December 1481].
Imperial 2° (468 x 326mm). Collation: [1-410 5-238 24-2510 26-358 3610 378 3810 398] (1/1 blank, 1/2r-23/8v Books 1 [comprising prologue and chapter headings of all books] - 11, 24/1r Book 12, 26/1r-36/10r Books 13-17, 36/10v blank, 37/1r Book 18, 39/1 blank, 39/2r-8v Book 19 headings). 326 leaves (of 602, without blank 1/1 and 39/1, and lacking part II, containing Books 19 text - 33, quires 40-74). 69 lines and headline, double column. Type: 1:180G; 2:108G, 3:97a. Contemporary South-German decoration: 12-line magenta initial with white modelling on punched gold ground within green fictive frame and with foliate extensions, 12-line initial in blue with red Maiblumen decoration and extensions opening book II, initials to books 9-18 in red (initial spaces to books 3-8 left blank), 3-line chapter initials alternating red and blue, red paragraph marks. (Small wormholes in text in first 2 quires, slightly heavier at end, illuminated initial rubbed.) Contemporary German blindstamped calf over wooden boards, two brass catchplates preserved (restored, rebacked). Provenance: ?Gry[-]ssensis monastery (16/17th-century inscription).
SECOND EDITION of the first printed encyclopedia of natural history. The Speculum naturale is a summary of all knowledge of the natural world current in western Europe in the mid 13th century. It covers time, the four elements, plants, fish, the zodiac and the psychology and anatomy of man. This edition has also been assigned to Anton Koberger at Nuremberg (C 6257) and Johann Amerbach at Basel (BMC II, x); Sack (Freiburg 3682) suggested a printer working for hire for Anton Koberger, c.1483). C 6257; Polain(B) 3948; BMC II x, III 860; BSB-Ink V-207; CIBN V-192; Klebs 1036.2; Goff V-293.
Imperial 2° (468 x 326mm). Collation: [1-4
SECOND EDITION of the first printed encyclopedia of natural history. The Speculum naturale is a summary of all knowledge of the natural world current in western Europe in the mid 13th century. It covers time, the four elements, plants, fish, the zodiac and the psychology and anatomy of man. This edition has also been assigned to Anton Koberger at Nuremberg (C 6257) and Johann Amerbach at Basel (BMC II, x); Sack (Freiburg 3682) suggested a printer working for hire for Anton Koberger, c.1483). C 6257; Polain(B) 3948; BMC II x, III 860; BSB-Ink V-207; CIBN V-192; Klebs 1036.2; Goff V-293.
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