Augustinus, Aurelius | The only Louvain edition of The City of God

Augustinus, Aurelius

De civitate dei (comm: Thomas Waleys and Nicolaus Trivet). Louvain: Johannes de Westfalia (Johann von Paderborn), 18 September 1488

Royal folio (371 x 270 mm). Gothic (rotunda) types 1E:89/90G & 2D:119G, text in one or two columns with surrounding commentary, 59–60 lines, colophon printed in red. Collation: a–z A–O⁸ P⁶: 302 leaves, including initial and terminal blanks. Some marginal dampstaining, especially in final quarter, evidence of mildew and cleaning, very occasional marginal chips, tears, tiny wormholes, or repairs, a few very discreet institutional blindstamps. Eighteenth-century Dutch vellum, bulked out at end with numerousl blank leaves, red-sprinkled edges; lightly soiled, rear hinge broken.

John of Westphalia, also known as John of Paderborn, was the first printer in Louvain and one of the earliest in Flanders. He seems to have been first active in Venice, but returned to Germany and studied at the university of Cologne before moving to Aalst, where he printed four works with Dirk Martens. He settled in Louvain in 1474 and was active there, particularly for the University, until his death 1498; his Louvain press produced at least 180 editions. The commentary by the thirteenth-century Dominicans Nicholaus Trivet and Thomas Waleys was a common supplement to De civitate dei, of which this is the only Louvain edition. Very scarce on the market: Rare Book Hub records a single copy at auction since 1956. 

REFERENCE:

BMC IX 144 (IC.49187); Goff A1242; GW 2886; ISTC ia01242000

PROVENANCE:

Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Hague (ink stamp and "duplicate sold" stamp [Verkochte Dubbelen] at foot of first page)