Description

[004459] Hall, Edwin. Sweynheym & Pannartz and the Origins of Printing in Italy – German Technology and Italian Humanism in Renaissance Rome. McMinnville, Oregon: Bird & Bull Press for Phillip J. Pirages, 1991. First Edition. Folio. Hardback. Limited Edition. Very Good. ISBN: 0962856800. [6], 7-128pp, [4]. A book bound in quarter morocco and marbled paper over boards with a paper label to upper cover, with an original Sweynheym and Pannartz leaf with red initial from one of their books in a mylar sleeve, both housed in a drop back box with a paper label to its spine

The spine of the drop back box has lightly faded, the leaf is slightly creased to margin, but the book is in excellent condition. Laid in loosely is a page from the publishers with some suggestions about keeping the book and leaf in good condition

The leaf is numbered 56 in pencil to the top margin, with the book being copy number one hundred and forty-six of the two hundred and thirty-nine for sale

De Hamel, Disbound and Dispersed, 197, noting that the leaf is from Nicholas of Lyra’s ‘Postilla super totam bibliam’, Rome, 1471; Berger, Forty Years of Bird & Bull, B38, with Henry Morris stating that “this leaf book is unquestionably the most important work I have printed on the subject of early printing history” (page 69)