Bidspirit auction | [HISTORY] - BOETHIUS Severinus -

[HISTORY] - BOETHIUS Severinus - The Saving Power Of Philosophy. 9 Known Copies - Boethius, Severinus. De consolatione philosophiae. [with:] Pseudo-Boethius. De disciplina scholarium. [Lyons: Jean Du Pré (printer of Lyons), not after 1489]. Median quarto (243x155mm), 19th century reversed deerskin (headcap loose, some wear and discoloration), ff. 128 for the first work; ff. 48 for the second work. Woodcut printer’s device on first leaf, woodcut initials with yellow washes, yellow capital strokes. The text, surrounded by the commentary of Pseudo-Thomas Aquinas, was edited by Conradus Poseiaen. 56–59 Lines, Gothic types 10:80G, 11:62G. Signature: a–q⁸; A–F⁸. Richly annotated copy of a scarce early edition of Boethius’s philosophical masterpiece, which became one of the most popular and influential works of the Middle Ages. The «Consolation of Philosophy», which Boethius wrote in exile or in prison while awaiting his execution, represents an imaginary conversation between himself and Lady Philosophy. She consoles Boethius by discussing the transitory nature of fame and wealth and the ultimate superiority of things of the mind. This exhaustive edition also includes the De disciplina scholarium, a popular and rather raunchy guide for schoolboy pedagogy frequently attributed to Boethius. Condition: Washed and toned, damp-staining and soiling, D7-8 with hole and tear through text. Provenance: 1. Contemporary ownership inscription Hic liber [de me?] fuit fratri Rolando Guiscardo ordinis Minorum sancti Francisci de Paulo at the top of title-page. 2. Ad usum fratrum Minimorum conventus Belleregard [?] 3. Numerous contemporary annotations (faded and some trimmed) 2. Mrs. Alexander P. Rosenberg, New York NY (acquired from Menno Hertzberger and Co, Amsterdam, 18 May 1966). References: GW 4553; Goff B795; Pellechet 2511; IBE 1119; Sack (Freiburg) 720; Walsh 3777; Arnoult 312; Frasson-Cochet 60; Lefèvre 104; Zehnacker 496. ISTC ib00795000. Census (9): France (4): Aurillac, Arch. Dép. du Cantal; Carcassonne BM (wanting part II and imperfect); Reims BM; Strasbourg CSG. USA (2): Cambridge MA, Harvard Library, Houghton Library; New Haven CT, Yale University, Beinecke Library. Germany (1): Freiburg i. Br. UB (I); Spain (1): Barcelona BCatal. United Kingdom (1): Cambridge, Emmanuel College (Pforzheimer copy). •⁠> This lot is located in and ships from the UK. No export license is required for values under £65,000; above this threshold, a UK export license will be needed. Import duties and taxes in the destination country are the buyer's responsibility.