Bidspirit auction | Johannes Oecolampadius – Two Latin

Johannes Oecolampadius – Two Latin Works on the Bible – Basel, 1527-1530 – Early Parchment Binding - Volume with two Latin works by Hebraist and Reformer Johannes Oecolampadius, commenting on several Biblical books: 1. In Danielem Prophetam Ioannis Oecolampadij libri duo, omnigena & abstrusiore cum Hebraeorum tum Graecorum scriptorum doctrina referti [Two books on the prophet Daniel]. Basel: Thomas Wolff, 1530. Latin, with some Greek and Hebrew (Hebrew words unvocalized). Decorated initial letters. Printer's device on last page. Inscriptions. Many early handwritten glosses and additions (Latin) to margins of many leaves. Printed twice, nearly identically, in Basel the same year: one printed by Johann Bebel, and the present edition by Thomas Wolff. 2. In Postremos Tres Prophetas, nempe Haggaeum, Zachariam, & Malachiam, Commentarius Ioan. Oecolampadii. Cum Indice [Commentary on Chagai, Zechariah and Malachi, with index]. Basel: Andreas Cratander, January 1527 (printing details in colophon). First edition. Latin, with Hebrew and Greek (some Hebrew quotations printed with vocalization). First leaf (after introduction) decorated in fine woodcut frame. Decorated initial letters. Printer's device on title page and last page. Many early handwritten inscriptions, glosses and additions (Latin) on title page and margins of some leaves. The author, Johannes Oecolampadius (1482-1531), was a Swiss German theologian, Hebraist and Biblical commentary, a leading Protestant Reformer in Basel. He was known for his exceptional proficiency in classical languages and Hebrew, and he also cooperated with Erasmus in printing the Greek New Testament. He was a friend and co-worker with leading German humanists including Huldrych Zwingli and Philipp Melanchthon. In 1529, he was appointed to lead the Reformed Church in Basel. His works and Biblical commentaries rely extensively on Jewish sources and rabbinical literature. The present works mention such sources as R. Saadia Gaon, Rashi, Ibn Ezra, Rambam, Radak, Ralbag and others. 2 books in one volume. [4], 156, [6] leaves; [12] leaves, 86 leaves. 20.5 cm. Good condition. Light stains and defects. Minor marginal tears to some leaves. Many early handwritten inscriptions to title pages, endpapers and margins of many leaves (mainly to first work). Early parchment binding, with meticulous decorations in frames and vegetal patterns, and a pair of clasps. Defects and wear to binding; tears to edge of spine. Joseph Prijs, Basle, nos. 32+, 24*; VD16 B 3817, B 3978; Ernst Staehelin, Oekolampad-Bibliographie, no. 163, 137. Rare. Not recorded in NLI catalogue. To the best of our knowledge, this item has not been auctioned in recent decades.