Supplementum chronicarum - photo 1
Supplementum chronicarum - photo 2

Supplementum chronicarum

Lot 32
28.01.2025 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 12 600
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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Archive
ID 1360748
Lot 32 | Supplementum chronicarum
Estimate value
$ 10 000 – 15 000
JACOBUS PHILIPPUS DE BERGAMO (1434–1520). Supplementum chronicarum. Venice: Bernardinus Benalius, 23 August 1483.

Rare first edition of Jacobus de Bergamo’s world chronicle, the earliest dated work by famed Italian printer Benalius. The author’s contract with Benalius sets out that 650 copies were to be printed, of which fewer than 1/6th are known to survive today. The work is also an important source for the history European-African cultural exchanges, noting a visit of Ethiopian diplomats to Hispania in the second decade of the 14th century. An entry for 1[4]59 (misprinted as ‘1959’) records the beginning of the printing, with reference to Gutenberg, Jenson and Fust, followed by verses in praise of Gutenberg's press: ‘Ars imprimendi libros: his temporibus in Germania primum enata est; quam alii repertam asserunt a Joanne Gutenbergo argentino. alii a quadam nomini Fusto. alii a Nicholao Jensone predicant: Qua certe nulla in mundo dignior nulla laudabilior aut utilior sive divinior aut sanctior esse potuit [...] O felix nostris memoranda impressio seclis inventore nitet utraque lingua tuo: desierat quasi totum quod fundis in orbem nunc paruo doctus quilibet esse potest omnes te summis igitur nunc laudibus ornent te duce quando ars hec mire reperta fuit’ (The art of printing first arose in Germany at this time, which some claim to have been invented by the Strassburger Johannes Gutenberg, some swear by Nicolas Jenson, and others by the name Fusto; though it is certain that nothing in the world could be more praiseworthy, laudable, useful, divine nor blessed). HC *2805; Bod-inc J-087; BMC V 370, XII 26; BSB-Ink I-121; ISTC ij00208000.

Super-chancery folio (307 × 200mm). 306 leaves. Opening illuminated initial with extensions by a contemporary Italian artist, illuminated coat of arms of a rampant lion with staff and motto Bendictus Deus in lower margin, other initials and paragraph marks in blue or red (a few marginal wormholes, occasional faint stain). 16th-century blindstamped calf over wooden boards, panelled sides with a roll of the life of Christ, clasps and catchplates (neatly rebacked preserving most of the original spine, other small restorations). Provenance: coat of arms similar (but not identical) to that of the Fulcheri family of Piedmont/Lombardy – early marginalia – indistinct stamp on final verso.
Genre:Religious genre
Place of origin:Italy
Auction house category:Antiquarian books, Printed books
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