82 résultats
1588D19310London: Thomas Vautroullier 1588. Hardcover. Good. 4to. Fourth edition in English First published in 1575 the variant without mention of Norton in the imprint. Vautroullier's anchor device to title page; bound in contemporary limp parchment; signature of H. Nevyle dated 1594 on ffep. A few other later family signatures and mottos of John Nevile. Textblock detached from binding some thumbing worming last three leaves torn with loss to fore-margin affecting mainly side-notes. <br/><br/> Thomas Vautroullier hardcover
156722602Frankfurt, (Schmidt), 1567. 12 Bll., 582 S., 18 Bll. mit Titelholzschnitt. 4°. Blindgeprägter SchweinsLdr. der Zeit über Holzdeckeln mit Rollenstempeln und geprägter Jahreszahl ?1567? auf dem Vorderdeckel (angeschmutzt, Kapitale und hinterer Deckelbezug mit teils hinterlegten Einrissen, ohne Schließen). [5 Warenabbildungen]
1538139083Wittenberg: Hans Weiss 1538. modern quarter mottled sheep over cloth-covered boards gilt on spine. 8vo. modern quarter mottled sheep over cloth-covered boards gilt on spine. 24 leaves. First edition of a work on the earliest Christian creeds; first issue with title dated 1536 and corrected in manuscript to read 1538. A very scarce Martin Luther Pamphlet. Benzing 3264. Knaake 766. Kuczynski 1794. Title within woodcut historiated border showing Adam and Eve preacher Luther at pulpit naked figures entering Hell looking back at Moses and the Tables and St. George slaying a dragon. <BR> <br /> <BR> <br /> Luther's writing deals with the three oldest creeds the Apostolic the Athanasian and the Ambrosian "Te deum laudamus" translated into German by Luther. The beautiful woodcut border shown in Johannes Luther plate 53 shows the fall and redemption: Adam and Eve at the tree of wisdom eating apples that the serpent offers them. What follows is the drastic expulsion from paradise by horned devils and the severe lords Moses and Aaron who reproachfully show the tablets of the law with the ten commandments. On the right then the crucifixion of Christ who takes away the sins again and below the risen one who defeats the devil with a large spear Moses' tablets of the law also break - an allusion to the time of the New Covenant "Sub gratia" which replaces the "tempus sub lege" the Old Testament covenant of man with God.<BR> <br /> <BR> <br /> Hans Weiss was the first printer in Berlin in 1540. Hans Weiss unknown
15417867CB1541. Strassburg Müller 1541. Kl.-4°. 8 Bl. 695 S. Schweinslederband mit Platten- und Rollstempelprägung auf Holzdeckeln sowie zwei Metallschliessen. Katalog der Wolfenbütteler Luther-Drucke Nr. 2129. VD 16 L 4994. Der fliegende Vorsatz fehlt. Mit alten handschriftlichen Einträgen und neuerem Besitzeretikett auf dem Vorsatz und wenigen Marginalien. Zwei kleinere Einrisse und ein Braunfleck. Das Papier leicht gebräunt und stockfleckig und zu Beginn fingerfleckig. Der Einband berieben am oberen Kapital mit kleinerer Fehlstelle und im Gelenk der Bezug eingerissen. unknown
15417867CBStrassburg, Müller, 1541. Kl.-4°. (8) Bl., 695 S. Schweinslederband mit Platten- und Rollstempelprägung auf Holzdeckeln sowie zwei Metallschliessen.
153960188Wittemberg, Nickel Schirlentz, 1539. 4to. In a later paper binding. Blank white paper label pasted on to spine. Woodcut title-page depicting Herod's guest with Salome and the decapitated John the Baptist. Woodcut-initials in text. Two stamps to verso of title-page. Small paper mark pasted on to lower outer margin on title-page. Title-page with light soiling and last 30 ff. with dampstain to upper and lower outer corner. 120 ff. + 1 blank (H4) (Complete).
153960188Wittemberg Nickel Schirlentz 1539. 4to. In a later paper binding. Blank white paper label pasted on to spine. Woodcut title-page depicting Herod's guest with Salome and the decapitated John the Baptist. Woodcut-initials in text. Two stamps to verso of title-page. Small paper mark pasted on to lower outer margin on title-page. Title-page with light soiling and last 30 ff. with dampstain to upper and lower outer corner. 120 ff. 1 blank H4 Complete. <br/><br/><em>Exceedingly rare second printing of Luther’s exegetical commentary on the 110th psalm The first being from 1537. This psalm is a cornerstone in Christian theology as it is cited as proof of the plurality of the Godhead and Jesus' supremacy as king priest and Messiah. For this reason Psalm 110 is "the most frequently quoted or referenced psalm in the New Testament".3 Classical Jewish sources in contrast state that the subject of the psalm is either Abraham David or the Jewish Messiah. The printer Schirlentz had previously had printers license revoked because he had published the epigrams of Lemnius. Luther wanted to help Schirlentz and asked the elector personally for permission to print his psalm. Benzing 3322 </em> unknown
1522911Strasbourg : Matthias Schürer Erben 1521-1522: Strasbourg : Matthias Schürer Erben 1521-1522 1522. First Edition. Bound in modern 1/4 deer with some hair still on the leather. water stained throughout with paper damage in the lower margin not affecting the text contemporary marginal notes red and capitals stroked in red. This is a wonderfully visible example of large bearer type on the reverse of the title page.<br /> https://www.digitale-sammlungen.de/en/view/bsb11230143page=2 Quarto20 x 15 cm. A-B 4 C 8 D-E 4 F 8 G-H 4 I 8 K-L4 M8 N-O4 P8 Q-R4 S6.<br /> <br /> VD 16 L 3763; Luther WA 6: 282 M and 351 O 400 P ;Benzing Luther 12; Benzing Schürer Erben 1961. [Strasbourg] : [Matthias Schürer Erben], (1521-1522?) unknown
158960075Wittemberg:: Durch Johan. Krafft 1589-1590. very old wooden boards wormed; four of eight metal corners and portion of one clasp remaining; covering material entirely absent except for vellum spine underlayment. The original sewing structure is intact. The final leaf of text has been trimmed close to the printed area and laid down; corners of text block thumbed and rounded. . Folio. Engraved title page; engraved text illustrations. Durch Johan. Krafft, hardcover
157757412Kiøbenhaffn, Matz Vinggaard, 1577. Folio. Samtidigt hellæderbind over træ. 2 messinbeslag efter 2 lukkestroppe. Ryg med ophøjede bind. Ryg fornyet i ældre tid. Kapitælslid. De rigt blindtrykte permsider kun delvist bevarede, panelleret med rullestempler. Hjørner restaurerede. En nyere, på permens inderside, indklæbet beskrivelse, hævder, at bindet er udført af P. Knufflack.(14),171,155,114 blade. 4 blade i faksimile (A1-2 og B4-5). En del blade kantflossede. Nogle skjolder, brugsspor. Enkelte blade defekte med lidt tab af bogstaver. Spredte kantreparationer og mindre revner i marginer. De to deltitelblade med bred træskåren ramme. Gennemillustreret med store bibelske træsnit som er kopier af Hans Brosamers illustrationer til en tysk bibel, trykt i Frankfurt 1548-49. Folio. Contemporary full calf binding over wooden boards with old rebacking. Two brass clasps, no ties. Raised bands to spine. Capitals worn. The richly blindstamped boards have only partly been preserved. Corners restored. A newer decription pasted into the inside of front board claims that the binding was made by P. Knufflack. Several leaves worn at edges. Some damp staining and wear. A few leaves defective with loss of a few letters. Scattered edge repairs and small tears to margins. The two half-titles with wide woodcut border. Illustrated throughout with large biblical woodcuts that are copies of Hans Brosamer's illustrations for a German bible printed in Frankfurt 1548-49. 4 leaves in facsimile (A1-2 and B4-5). (14), 171, 155, 114 ff.
157757412Kiøbenhaffn Matz Vinggaard 1577. Folio. Samtidigt hellæderbind over træ. 2 messinbeslag efter 2 lukkestroppe. Ryg med ophøjede bind. Ryg fornyet i ældre tid. Kapitælslid. De rigt blindtrykte permsider kun delvist bevarede panelleret med rullestempler. Hjørner restaurerede. En nyere på permens inderside indklæbet beskrivelse hævder at bindet er udført af P. Knufflack.14171155114 blade. 4 blade i faksimile A1-2 og B4-5. En del blade kantflossede. Nogle skjolder brugsspor. Enkelte blade defekte med lidt tab af bogstaver. Spredte kantreparationer og mindre revner i marginer. De to deltitelblade med bred træskåren ramme. Gennemillustreret med store bibelske træsnit som er kopier af Hans Brosamers illustrationer til en tysk bibel trykt i Frankfurt 1548-49. Folio. Contemporary full calf binding over wooden boards with old rebacking. Two brass clasps no ties. Raised bands to spine. Capitals worn. The richly blindstamped boards have only partly been preserved. Corners restored. A newer decription pasted into the inside of front board claims that the binding was made by P. Knufflack. Several leaves worn at edges. Some damp staining and wear. A few leaves defective with loss of a few letters. Scattered edge repairs and small tears to margins. The two half-titles with wide woodcut border. Illustrated throughout with large biblical woodcuts that are copies of Hans Brosamer's illustrations for a German bible printed in Frankfurt 1548-49. 4 leaves in facsimile A1-2 and B4-5. 14 171 155 114 ff. <br/><br/><em>The exceedingly scarce re-issue of the first Danish edition of Luther's "Huuspostille" which was printed by Lorenz Benedicht in 1564. Thesurus states that only two copies of this incredibly rare book has been on the market since World War II. Only very few copies on private hands. Det yderst sjældne re-issue af førsteudgaven der blev trykt af Lorentz Benedicht i 1564. Thesaurus anfører at der kun har været to eksemplarer på markedet siden 2. Verdenskrig.Thesaurus I 104. - Birkelund 24 1564-udgaven - Lauritz Nielsen 1085. </em> hardcover
152692291526 Colophon: gedruckt durch Gabriel Kantz [in Zwickau], 1526. Un volume petit in-8° (105 x 145 mm) de 51 (sur 52) feuillets non numérotés, le dernier blanc (signatures A-E8, F4,G7); le second feuillet blanc (G8) manque. Reliure de la fin de XIXe ou du début du XXe siècle en plein parchemin, étiquette de titre en maroquin rouge. Discrets soulignements et notes marginales à la plume dans le texte, datant probablement du XIXe siècle. Grand ex-libris gravé (58 x 101 mm) au premier contreplat: «Bücher Sammlung Johannes Merck», soit Johannes Theodor Merck (Manchester, 1855-Hambourg, 1934), commerçant international, directeur de la Hamburg-Amerika Line en 1896). Ex-dono manuscrit, au bas de cet ex-libris,à un certain Fritz Sieveking, par «Herbert Merck, Hamburg, 21. II. 1949», soit le Dr. phil. nat. Herbert Theodor Merck (Hambourg, 1900- Hambourg, 1982), troisième enfant de Johannes Theodor Merck.
1531139085Wittenberg: Hans Lufft 1531. modern boards. 8vo. modern boards. 10 leaves. First edition second issue the first issue was 1530. Benzing 2955. Title within woodcut historiated architectural border. Covers slightly warped; worming in blank lower inner corners minor repair on C3. Contemporary signature on title of Wolfgant Linhart marginalia in same hand. Luther's sermon on angels originally delivered on 29 September 1530. A very rare Lutheran pamphlet. Hans Lufft unknown
152379343Wittenberg: Jobst Gutknecht 1523. First edition of Dr. Martin Luther's Maundy Thursday Sermon with explicit instruction on the correct preparation for receiving the holy sacraments. Quarto 24 leaves of German text disbound from the original Gutknecht edition and tipped in to accompany a rare 16-page handwritten manuscript containing a literal translation in English from 1864. Bound in full brown morocco elaborate tooling to the front and rear panels tooling to the spine yellow silk endpapers gilt turn-ins inner dentelles all edges gilt. Best known for initiating the Protestant Reformation in 16th century Europe German theologist Dr. Martin Luther's writings represented one-fifth of all materials printed in Germany between 1500 and 1530. His translation of the Bible from Latin into German and use of Gutenberg's printing press had an enormous impact both the accessibility of the Biblical teachings and on the German language itself. Jobst Gutknecht unknown books
152343260Wittemberg: Np. 1523. First Edition with preface by Martin Luther. Wittemberg. N.p. 1523. 8vo. 20cm First Edition with preface by Martin Luther decorated title-page un-paginated i18p. text in Latin engraved folded frontis portrait Savanorola contemporary annotations in margins small worm-holes in leaves slightly affecting some text bound in modern grey boards with title in black: "Luther- Meditatio Heir . Savanolae. 1523" very good to fine rare. very good to fine. ~~ Savonarola's last writings "Inflex ego" & "Trestilia" when in prison before execution in 1498. Martin Luther was a great admirer of Savonorola as a harbinger of the Protestant Reformation and was impressed by these pair of meditations the second of which was unfinished. The location of the publication-Wittenberg-is significant being associated with Martin Luther and considered the birthplace of the Protestant Reformation. Although "Meditopia" has no publisher listed a copy of the book is in the University of Warsaw with a contemporary hand-written publisher's name; Johann Rhau-Grunenberg 1508-1825 noted for publishing Martin Luther's earliest works including the Indulgences of 1517. Np. unknown
157568885Wittenberg: Gedruckt Durch Hans Lufft 1575. Die Fürnemsten vnd besten Schrifften des Hocherleuchten vnd Geistreichen Mannes . Herrn Doctoris Martini Lutheri von den beiden Sacramenten des Newen Testaments nemlich von der Heiligen Tauff vnd dem Abendmal des Herrn. Itzt aus Christlichen vnd groswichtigen ursachen von newes in druck verordnet und den Sacramentsfeinden und Schwermern der Carlstadischen Zwinglischen und Caluinischen Secte alten und newen entgegen gesatzt zu schutz und erklerung der Warheit und zu dempffung der meuchlinge schleichenden gifft und Schwermerey. Durch die Theologen der Vniversitet Witteberg. Wittenberg: Gedruckt Durch Hans Lufft 1575.<br> <br> Full Description:<br> <br> LUTHER Martin. Die Fürnemsten vnd besten Schrifften des Hocherleuchten vnd Geistreichen Mannes . Herrn Doctoris Martini Lutheri von den beiden Sacramenten des Newen Testaments nemlich von der Heiligen Tauff vnd dem Abendmal des Herrn. Itzt aus Christlichen vnd groswichtigen ursachen von newes in druck verordnet und den Sacramentsfeinden und Schwermern der Carlstadischen Zwinglischen und Caluinischen Secte alten und newen entgegen gesatzt zu schutz und erklerung der Warheit und zu dempffung der meuchlinge schleichenden gifft und Schwermerey. Durch die Theologen der Vniversitet Witteberg. Wittenberg: Gedruckt Durch Hans Lufft 1575.<br> <br> First edition of these collected works of Martin Luther. Quarto 7 3/4 x 6 1/8 inches; 196 x 155 mm. 20 424 leaves. A few page numbers misprinted but collates complete. Title-page printed in red and black. Printed in black letter. Engraved initials.<br> <br> Full contemporary pigskin over wooden boards. Boards heavily stamped in blind. With a central device portrait of Martin Luther embossed to front board and another unknown person's portrait to back board. With two brass clasps fully intact. Boards beveled. All edges dyed brown. Some chipping to head and tail of the spine and some minor cracked to top of spine hinges but still very strong. Preliminary leaves with some fraying and toning to edges but not affecting text. Pastedowns not fully complete. Front free endpaper with old ink manuscript notes. Lacking rear free endpaper. A few other leaves with neat marginalia. Some minor dampstaining and toning throughout. Leaves 5M3-5N2 with some holes to outer blank margin not affecting text. Leaves 5N3 and 5N4 with small paper repair to outer upper corners not affecting text. Overall a very good copy in a wonderful binding.<br> <br> A collection of Martin Luther's writings disputing the sacraments of Holy Baptism and the Lord's Supper. "Theological and doctrinal disputes were to persist for the rest of Luther's career on issues such as the Eucharist or Lord's Supper: Heiliges Adendmahl and baptism both within the evangelical movement involving figures such as the sacramentarian Karlstadt and the Swiss reformers Ulrich Zwingli 1484-1531 and Johannes Oecolampadius 1482-1531 and outside it with the Anabaptists. On both issues Luther resisted the accounts of these sacraments as having a mere symbolic value often arguing that this viewpoint comes from an urge to put reason above the authority of scripture. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.<br> <br> HBS 68885.<br> <br> $3750. Gedruckt Durch Hans Lufft unknown
15233175Erfurt:: Stürmer 1523. FOURTH PRINTING. Quarto:. 20 x 14.5 cm. 8 pp. A4 Modern boards with a stamped Luther rose. With a narrow woodcut title border. A very fresh clean copy with an intricate title page border. All printings are rare. Luther wrote this letter in August 1522 to Hans von Rechenberg a strong supporter of the Reformation and a man who distinguished himself in battle against the Turks. There is no evidence that Luther knew von Rechenberg personally but the question that Luther addresses in the letter whether a person who dies without faith may be saved seems to have been one of personal concern to the addressee. Luther’s reply is quite direct and to the point: whether men like it or not Luther says God saves no one without faith for to do so would be contrary to his word. Furthermore faith does not seek to penetrate why God does not save without faith. Luther cites four passages of scripture: Mark 16:16 where Jesus says “Whoever does not believe will be condemnedâ€; Hebrews 11:6 which says “Without faith it is impossible to please Godâ€; John 3:6 “Whoever is not born anew of the Spirit and water cannot see the kingdom of Godâ€; and John 5:18 “Whoever does not believe is already judged.†Luther writes: “Now if God were to save someone without faith he would be acting contrary to his own words and make himself out to be a liar. Yes he would be denying himself and that is impossible. For St. Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:13 “God cannot deny himself.†As impossible as it is for divine truth to lie it is just as impossible for him to save someone without faith.†He continues: “It would be a completely different question to ask whether God could grant faith to a few at the moment of their death or after death and thereby save them through faith. Who would doubt that he could do this But no one can prove that he does do this. For we only read that he has already raised the dead and given them faith. No matter what he does whether he grants faith or not it is impossible for anyone to be saved without faith. Otherwise all preaching and the Gospel and faith itself would be futile false and deceptive since the entire Gospel makes faith necessary.†Benzing 1270 Stürmer], unknown books
1531140949420Wittenberg Germany: Hans Lufft 1531. First edition. First edition. First printing with date misprinted as "1231" on the title page as per Benzing. 63 pp. Bound in recent brown paper over boards with red morocco spine label. Text in German. Small 4to A1-D4. Title page with Georg Lemberger woodcut border Luther Taf. 34 showing angels surrounding the entrance to the book. Near Fine annotations in a contemporary hand have been washed out with varying degrees of success much of them still visible; tidemark to fore tail corner otherwise a very clean and fresh copy. Uncommon in its first printing. <p>After the Diet of Augsburg Charles V gave Protestants six months to renounce the Evangelical reforms and return to the Catholic church or else face armed persecution. During this period a confederation of Protestant states dubbed The Schmalkaldic League was formed with the intention of defending themselves from the Empire's repression. Luther joined Philip Melanchthon and several other theologians at Torgau in signing a declaration in defense of the creation of an armed Protestant league something he had adamantly refused to do on multiple prior occasions. The Warnunge An Seine lieben Deudschen was composed as a theopolitical justification of this new declaration of the right to armed resistance at Torgau. In it Luther walks a fine dialectical line with one of the clearest practical applications of his Two Kingdoms doctrine: as a minister of the Gospel he must counsel peace and could not press for war; but neither would he reprove those who took up arms to defend themselves against tyranny. Benzing 2908; VD16 L7736. Hans Lufft unknown
156415908Kiøbenhaffn, Lorentz Benedict, 1564. 4to. Senere helldrbd. 188,156,114 blade. Titelblad og fortale samt sidste blad i smuk lystryk faksimile ( 3 blade ialt). de sidste 10 blade kantrepareret. Lettere brugsspor. 3 træskårne titelblade, tæt beskåret foroven. Talrige større træsnitillustrationer i teksten.
156415908Kiøbenhaffn Lorentz Benedict 1564. 4to. Senere helldrbd. 188156114 blade. Titelblad og fortale samt sidste blad i smuk lystryk faksimile 3 blade ialt. de sidste 10 blade kantrepareret. Lettere brugsspor. 3 træskårne titelblade tæt beskåret foroven. Talrige større træsnitillustrationer i teksten. <br/><br/><em>Første danske udgave af Luthers Postil og af største sjældenhed i komplet stand. Kun ganske få bevarede på private hænder. De fleste eksemplarer i de offentlige biblioteker er ukomplette Lauritz Nielsen anfører kun 7 komplette eksemplarer. En af de mest betydningsfulde bøger fra Benedichts trykpresse og det største i omfang.Extremely scarce first Dansih edition of Luther's "Hauspostille" with only af few copies still on private hands.Thesaurus I 104. - Birkelund 24. - Lauritz Nielsen 1084. - Paulli 20. </em> unknown
15501503130064Gedruckt zu Wittemberg : Durch Hans Lufft 1550-01-01. Hardcover. Acceptable. Folio. 380 of 383p. Collation: A1-Z6 A1-Z6 Aa1-Aa2 lacking Aa3-Aa4 Aa5-Rr4 Lacking Rr5 Rr6 Ss1-Ss5 in 6's. Bound in contemporary pigskin. Bindings decorated in blind. 5 raised bands. Contemporary brass corners and latches. Woodcut title page and 62 woodcuts throughout most by Hans Brosamer and some by Georg Lemberger. Good binding. Shelfwear. Chipping and loss to head and tail of spine. Loss to board edges. Lacking clasps. Lacking first and final blank. Top of title page missing from signature removal. Cracking to hinges. Soiling to pages. Loss to tail of leaf 33 affecting last 2 sentences of text. Marginal loss to f209. Tear to halfway of leaf 216. Contemporary marginal notation to the Gospels. Contemporary underlining to select pages throughout. Repairs to leaf 229 and 277. Tanned pages with some staining. <br><br> The Prophets of the Old Testament with the New Testament and Apocrypha from Martin Luther's translation of the Bible. Gedruckt zu Wittemberg : Durch Hans Lufft hardcover
1522140948314Wittemberg Wittenberg: Nickell Schyrlenz Schirlentz 1522. First edition. Near Fine. First edition of Martin Luther's riposte to King Henry VIII's pamphlet "In Defense of the Seven Sacraments" preceding the Latin edition by one month. Unpaginated 47 pp blank A-F4. Laid paper text in German woodcut title illustration featuring cupids. Collated complete. Small quarto recently bound in brown speckled paper-covered boards. Near Fine with tape marks to rear board perceptible in raking light light toning and thumbing and occasional foxing to contents. Title page repaired with backing paper to margins soiling to first and last pages faint dampstain to upper right corner of first few leaves. Binding solid interior overall clean and bright.<br /> <br /> <p>A well-preserved copy of a treatise by one of the most famous men in history. In 1521 Henry VIII of England published an attack on Martin Luther and defense of the Catholic Church that earned him the title "Defender of the Faith" from Pope Leo X. Henry's Assertio Septem Sacramentorum was swiftly translated into German and sold well on the Continent. Luther perceived a threat and published this furious response the following year mocking Henry''s new title and his qualification for the role. Henry himself would soon defy the Catholic Church after his demand for the annulment of his first marriage was rejected but he and Luther continued their acrimonious correspondence and never reconciled. Nickell Schyrlenz [Schirlentz] unknown
15233029<p>Augsburg: Melchior Ramminger 1523. </p><p>Price: $5500.00 </p><p>Quarto: 20 x 15 cm. 8 pp. Collation A4</p><p>One of five editions all printed in 1523.</p><p>Modern boards. A fine copy with a beautiful four-part title page border the lower register of which shows a stag hunt. There is also a small woodcut of the Virgin balancing on the crescent moon and holding the infant Christ.</p><p>A sermon for Lichtmeß Candlemas the feast of the presentation of the infant Jesus in the temple and the purification of Mary February 2. Jesus takes as his text Luke 2:22-39.<br /><br />For the complexities of Luther's evolving Mariology see Thomas O'Meara Mary in Protestant and Catholic Theology 1966. "Luther's attitude toward the theology of Mary and toward the devotion which a Christian should have to the Mother of God is a small-scale representation of his entire religious accomplishment. During any discussion of Luther and the Blessed Virgin we must keep uppermost in our minds that there was a development in his ideas a change more or less drastic in each aspect of Marian theology. This development has its beginning in Catholicism; it passes through contradictions struggles and uncertainties and terminates in a new Marian viewpoint one which Luther decided was Christocentric biblical unexaggerated and edifying."p. 123.</p><p>Benzing 1746; VD16 L-6084</p> Melchior Ramminger, books
15243177Wittenberg:: Cranach and Döring 1524. FIRST EDITION. Quarto:. 21 x 15 cm. . 20 pp. A4 B2 C4 Bound in marbled boards. With an excellent woodcut title page by Lucas Cranach Luther 43c cut from a single block with putti cornucopiae architectural motifs and stags. A good copy light soiling a few stains. First edition of Luther’s response to the growing danger posed by the radical preacher Thomas Münzer who was ultimately executed the following year for leading the violent open revolt that came to be known as the Peasants’ War. In 1523 Thomas Münzer formerly the leader of the radical “Zwickau Prophets†began to radicalize the area of Allstedt where he was then pastor preaching that the ungodly were to be eliminated and the elect would establish a kingdom of Christ on earth and threatening the political rulers of the area with rebellion. In early 1524 as Münzer “grew bolder in his denunciation of the authorities and called for an elimination of the enemies of God†he divided the citizenry into military units in order to resist any outside interference in his activities. Münzer openly challenged and attacked Luther who was openly opposed to Münzer’ ministry of the elect as one of “our mad debauching pigs which are horrified by the windstorm the raging billows and by all the waters of wisdom.†In his “Letter to the Princes of Saxony Concerning the Rebellious Spirit†written in July 1524 in response to the recent violence and Münzer’s mystical theology Luther “appealed to the rulers to act before the incendiary suggestions of Münzer led to civil rebellion and open revoltâ€. Luther “distinguished two sides of Münzer’s behavior that of violence and that of precept. Only the subject of violence concerns the princes and to this subject he devotes almost his entire letter. Satan can here be seen at work in a new way and has shown us his hoofprint all too plainly –meaning Münzer says that one is not to leave it up to the Word but that it is time to resist the authorities with fists with the sacking of cloisters with the destruction of images. Luther demanded that the princes respond preventively by rigorous prohibitions. If the Allstedters wished to defend themselves and show their true colors let them do so in a public trial before whomever they choose. “Luther’s book is noteworthy not because he admonished them to suppress violence but much more because he drew boundaries for them to observe. They do not have to defend themselves against Münzer’s teaching: ‘Let them preach as confidently and as boldly as they are able and against whomever they wish…There must be sects and the Word of God must be under arms and fight…Let the spirits collide and fight it out. If meanwhile some are led astray let it be; such is war. Where there is battle and bloodshed some must fall and some are wounded. Whoever fights honorably will be crowned.’… “The princes became convinced that the disturbances might lead to rebellion and they summoned the leaders before them. The Allstedt council and Münzer were examined in Weimar at the beginning of August. To escape the impending verdict Münzer fled to Mühlhausen where later in the year he gained leadership over the city. He became a central figure in the Peasants’ Revolt and suffered death in May 1525 when the revolt was crushed.â€Bornkamm Luther in Mid-Career p. 152 ff. Benzing 1927; Kessler 553; Title border: Luther “Titeleinfassungen der Reformationszeit†43c Cranach and Döring, unknown books
15213036<p>Wittenberg: Melchior Lotter 1521. </p><p>Price: $5600.00 </p><p>Quarto: 19 x 13 cm. 88 pp. a-l4</p><p>FIRST EDITION.</p><p>Modern marbled boards vellum spine and corners. A fine copy with contemporary marginalia in red and black. Provenance: Alain Moirandat Switzerland.</p><p>Luther wrote his "The Magnificat Translated into German and Explained" in two parts the first composed before his appearance at the Diet of Worms and the second part while he was in hiding in the Wartburg in May and June 1521. Given that Luther's vision of the church and of Mary's nature and place within Christianity were evolving and were to evolve much further over time and the fact that Luther left the Diet a changed man living in changed circumstances it is no wonder that Luther's exposition of the Magnificat has been the subject of numerous conflicting interpretations.<br /><br />In Albert Steinhaeuser's view the work "is a classical discussion of the place that the Virgin Mary occupies in the Protestant system. Although Luther regards her in one place as sinless and invokes her aid and intercession at the beginning and close of his work these are isolated instances; the whole tenor of the exposition is evangelical and as far removed from the Mariolatry of Rome as from an ultra-protestant depreciation of the Mother of our Lord. 'She does not want you to come to her but through her to God.' There is something very human and altogether unlike the radiant Queen of Heaven in the Mary who 'goes about her household tasks milking the cows cooking the meals washing pots and kettles sweeping out the rooms.' It is Luther's contribution to the German Madonna and the Weimar editors well compare this and similar passages of the Magnificat with Albrecht Durer's Marienleben a series of quaint woodcuts portraying the life of the Virgin 1503-10."<br /><br />But Hartmann Grisar one of the leading Catholic writers on Luther writes "Luther's 'Exposition of the Magnificat' has frequently been taken as a proof of Luther's great piety. It indeed contains many good thoughts even apart from those relating to Mary but in numerous passages the author uses his pen for a highly prejudiced vindication of his new teachings on the state of grace. It should also be borne in mind that the printers started on the book just before the Diet of Worms and that it was intended to attract and secure the support of the future rulers of the Saxon Electorate. Luther was also engaged at that time on his exceedingly violent screed against Catharinus in which he attempts to reveal the Pope in his true character as Antichrist. When after the Diet of Worms he continued his work on the Magnificat he was certainly in no mood to compose a book of piety on Mary. The result was that the book became to all intents and purposes a controversial tract which cannot be quoted as a proof of his piety or serenity of mind during those struggles. Luther's Magnificat is as little a serious work of edification and piety as his exposition of certain of the Psalms which appeared almost simultaneously and was also directed " against the Pope and the doctrine of men.".</p><p>VD16 L-5453; Benzing Luther 855; Kuczynski 1431</p> Melchior Lotter, books