Biblia (German) – The Ninth German Bible, also called ’Koberger-Bible’
Priand published by Anton Koberger, Nuremberg on 17 February, 1483
106 splendid woodcuts, four large magnificent initials as well as thousands of hand-painted initials
The book illustrations executed in characteristic coloring of the Koberger printing shop
Two parts bound in a monumental, splendid Renaissance binding
One of the finest bible prints and most important 15th century printed works at all
Blind-tooled pigskin over massive wooden boards with fittings and clasps
Dimensions of large folio: 40.5 x 28 x 12 cm
Good condition and almost complete copy
Excellent copy of this renowned and valuable bible print
Object is regular taxed. 7% VAT is added to the purchase price for deliveries within the EU.

This ninth (of eighteen) pre-Luther German bible is considered one of the most beautiful bible prints and one of the most acclaimed works by Anton Koberger. The total print run is estimated at 1,000 to 1.500 copies, of which today about 150 copies are in proven possessions. The Koberger-Bible is particularly captivating for its splendor and vibrancy that it gains from its broad oblong woodcuts and its neat writing, the rich rubrication and the marvellous coloring. Koberger used the text, with some linguistic alterations, of the fourth German bible, published by Zainer in Augsburg in 1475. Koberger had acquired the printing blocks from the woodcut series of the Quentell bible from 1478/79.

Illustration

Gothic type with 50 lines in two columns. Caption in Roman sheet numbering. The typeface is a new bastarda, closely related with the Upper Rhenish book cursive, somewhere between Schwabacher and Fraktur. It allows a well legible face calls reminiscence of manuscripts. Chapter captions were distinguished in a larger Rotunda. Dimensions of leaves: 37 x 25 cm. Text area: 31.5 x 19 cm.

106 (of 109) colored woodcut (88 in part 1 and 19 (of 21) in part 2), of which one a splendid gilt-heightened woodcut scene of the Creation on leaf V. This Creation image is regarded one of the most beautiful woodcuts in an early bible print. The picture shows the entire cosmos after the medieval Ptolemäic conception of the world: God the creator and sustainer of the world rules the universe. Devoid of questions regarding time and space, the medieval artist depicts god both as blessing, pouring his spirit out, as well as creator in Paradise, where he creates sexuality by separating the Androgyn (Adam) into Adam and Eve. This is generally conceived as the creation of the woman out of Adam’s rib. Additionally, the woodcut shows the world in its pre-modern conception as a disc, floating in an archaic ocean inhabited by beasts. The firmament rises above the scene with the constellation (sun, moon, stars). In heaven the 24 eldest turn to the Almighty and pray to him. The circle, the symbol of perfection, is embedded in a square, in a rectangle into which four winds blow. A sign of earthen, however, constraint perfection: It is not possible to capture the idea of infinity figuratively. All illustrations were magnificently colored in former times, presumably even in the contemporary coloring of the Koberger printing shop.

Additionally, the bible comprises four large hand-painted and gilt-heightened magnificent initials in red, blue, green and white on six/eleven lines with floral tendrils in blue, red, rose and green. Likewise impressive are the 45 large penwork initials in red and blue on 8-12 lines and the far more than thousand hand-painted red initials over 3-11 lines.

Collation

583 (of 586) leaves. Part 1 with 295 leaves (I–CCXCV), part 2 with 285 (of 288) leaves (CCXCVI-CCCCCLXXXIII) as well as three blank leaves. Lacking 577, 578 and 579 of (Revelation chapters 6-12) with five woodcuts. Leaf 578 supplemented from another copy, in real terms, two leaves are missing.

Condition

In very good condition, second part mostly in excellent condition. Strong impression on strong laid paper, very nice old coloring. Clean print, except for some isolated stains. Leaves 1,2 with stronger stains and with restored defect without loss of printed matter in upper right corner. Leaves 3,4 stained and with rebacked marginal blemishes without loss of printed matter. Leaf 5 mended in margin, with slight loss of tendrils at bottom, as well as a closed split in text. Leaf 6 with larger rebacked blemish to upper corner (14 x 6 cm) with some loss of printed matter. Leaves 7-40 finger-stained and stained in upper right margin. Leaf 112 with rebacked split in text (0.5 x 2 cm). Leaves 128, 138, 155, 263 with repaired marginal split in lower margin. Leaves 475 and 576 with small marginal split. Leaves 401-404 and 481-484 water stained in lower centerfold, leaves 320 and 321 water stained in right margin. Else very clean and well-preserved copy. Few 16th century marginalia.

Binding

Blind-tooled pigskin over heavy wooden boards from the first half of the 16th century. Roll-stamped borders and blind lines. Eight brass corner fittings, among them one professional replica, as well as two fittings in center of board. Two functioning brass clasps (renewed true to original). Bound on six original raised bands. Blue edges at three sides. Binding in very good condition and was skilfully restored maintaining the original condition. In doing so, a former tear on the rear board was closed by means of splints. Boards somewhat stained and rubbed as well as slightly scuffed and scraped. Gilt-tooled calf label ’Biblia Sacra I.D.F.v.W.’ attached at a later point. Book block, joints and binding firm and stable. Dimensions of large folio: 40.5 x 28 x 12 cm.

Provenance

Hand-written ownership entry and various marginalia by a mid 17th century hand: “In diesem 1667-ten Jahr wirdt diese Bibel zum Montag nach neu (?) Februar 184 Jahre alt, scriptum am 03. February ad 1667“ and “Lutherus geboren zu Eißleben in der Nacht vor St. Martinus Tag a.d. 1483. Und diese Bibel ist gedrucket worden…“. This inscription shows that the Ninth German Bible did not only serve Luther as a model for his German translation of the bible, but that Luther’s birth (presumably coincidentally) fell in with the printing and the release of this bible.

References

ISTC ib00632000; BSB-Ink B-490; GW 4303; Hain 3137; BMC II, 424; Goff B-632; Von Arnim, Slg. Schäfer I,52; Bibelsammlung Württemberg LB, E 22.

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