Biblia (German) – The first part of the Sixth German Bible
Printed by Günther Zainer, Augsburg, 1477
Richly illustrated incunabula with a splendidly painted and gilt-heightened miniature
With 22 other woodcuts in an old coloring painted within the large initials
Late 16th century blind-tooled pigskin binding
Dimensions of the folio volume: 40 x 29 x 7.5 cm
Very good condition
This extremely rare German bible is one of the greatest gems from the times of incunabula printing. As far as cultural history is concerned, it is of highest importance, because this work was the basis for Martin Luther's later translation of the bible
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This work is the first part (of two) of the so-called 'Sechste Deutsche Bibel (Sixth German Bible)', at the same time it is Günther Zainer's second bible print with the first printed bible illustrations ever. Zainer was the first and most important print maker from Augsburg. In his works he put a strong focus on illustrations and linguistic accuracy.

Zainer had already used the initials for his bible from 1475-76. This bible is 'one of the biggest treasures from the days of incunabula printing' (transl. of Schramm) and contains the Genesis up to the Psaltery.

The Zainer bible is also of high linguistic relevance, which begins with the printer's note in the publisher's imprint, stating the work has been revised 'nach rechtem gemeinen teutsch' (following the accurate rules of common German). We can very well speak of a 'modernization, that is an eschewal of old Middle High German speech forms.' (transl. from Schulze, Deutsche Bibeln, p. 17). In terms of religious history, the bible is of increased relevance for the fact 'that Luther made ample use of Zainer's compilation and that he frequently consulted it for his works' (Schramm, Illustrierte Bibeln der Inkunabelzeit, p. 6). This fact was first proven by the privy councilor Roethe.

Another outstanding feature of the Zainer bible is its book decoration which set new standards. In terms of size, design and quality, the woodcut initials with figurative illustrations at the beginning of each book of the bible, as well as its numerous so-called lily-of-the-valley-initials outshine all previous standards in bible illustration. It seems likely that Zainer's illustrations were released even before those which Jodocus Pflanzmann created in his editions between 1475 and 1477.

Illustration

Gothic type in two columns with 51 lines. The letters of St. Jerome begin with a blue initial over 15 lines on punched gilt ground, showing a neat scene with St. Jerome in his study, presenting his vulgate to Pope Damasus. The text is surrounded by splendid tendril borders with blue, red, rose and golden blossoms. These are slightly trimmed in places and with a rebacked marginal blemish that leads to minimal image loss.

With a total of 23 woodcut initials over twelve lines in an old coloring (of which 1 gilt-heightened) and woodcut initials with biblical scenes in an old coloring. Dimensions of these initials about 8.5 x 7.5 cm. 28 colored woodcut initials over seven lines. Colored woodcut printer's device at the end. Hundreds of red Lombards. With yellow spine end dashings at the beginning. Text area: 31 x 19.4 cm, dimensions of leaf: 38.8 x 26.5 cm.

Collation

319 (of 321) leaf (I-CCCXviiij). Lacking leaf 318/319. It seems to be very likely that these two leaves were not included into this copy. A note by a contemporary hand in the lower right on verso of leaf CCCxvij speaks for this assumption: 'Hirauf fehlen zwey blätter (Here two leaves are missing)'. The following last leaf is inscribed with the year '1477' and the colored printer's device is at hand.

Pagination of gatherings: ab10; c11; d–zA–I10.

Condition

Remarkably well-preserved copy of this very rare bible. Strong impression on firm laid paper. First leaf with more obvious stains, else a very clean copy. With just a very few isolated water stains in places of outer margins. Few marginalia by an older hand. With tiny wormholes to front and back. First two leafs with split in lower margin. First text leaf with blemish in right margin, rebacked in former times.

Binding

Well-preserved 16th or early 17th century blind-tooled pigskin binding on massive wooden boards. Roll-stamped border slightly faded. Two clasps just fragmentarily preserved (thongs have been removed). Six original bands. Blue marbled edges. Boards slightly scraped, shopworn and scuffed. Front outer joint burst at bottom. Folio: 40 x 29 x 7.5 cm.

References

BSB-Ink B-487; Hain 3134; Proctor 1550; Pellechet 2373; Polain 276; BMC II 324; GKW 4300; Goff B-629; CIBN B-443; Zehnacker 422; Schreiber 3458; Schramm II, 609-681.

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