Decorative coloured initials added by hand. Quality rag paper.
Commentary on the Holy Spirit appearing to the apostles as fire.
This handsome leaf is from the second edition of the Pantheologia - a theological work of Dominican Raniero Giordani of Pisa (d. 1351). It was organised alphabetically as a dictionary of important theological concepts. Written c. 1331 and influenced by the works of Thomas Aquinas, the work became popular in the fifteenth century, when six editions were published. It is without doubt one of the longest books ever composed in the Middle Ages. It is interesting to note that: "Although the author was Italian, of the six editions printed in the 15th-century, the first five appeared in Germany, suggesting that the manuscripts quickly found their way to Nuremberg, where it is quite possible that the celebrated humanist, physician and bibliophile Hartmann Schedel had something to do with seeing the formidable tomes into print." (Notes on the bibliography of Rainerius de Pisis, Rhodes, p. 238).
Recto: Two columns of Latin text printed in black in a roman font on high quality rag paper. One four-line initial in red added by hand after the printing. Paragraph markers.
Verso: As Recto, with one four-line initial in red.
Printer: Günther Zainer, Augsburg.
Date: 1474.
Title: Rainerius de Pisis. Pantheologia, sive Summa universae theologiae.
Content: The red initial ‘S’ at the start of Chapter 19 on Recto begins Rainerius’ discussion on the Holy Spirit appearing in the form of fire.
The chapter heading above the initial reads: spiritussanctis super apostolos congregatos in die penthecostes in specie ignis apparavit propter quattuor rationes. (The Holy Spirit appeared in the form of fire over the apostles gathered together on the day of Pentecost for four reasons)
Condition: This near 550 year old leaf is in excellent condition, sharply printed on high quality rag paper. Original margins all round. Apart from some slight edge browning and a very small loss of paper in the inner bottom margin the leaf is faultless. It is unconditionally guaranteed genuine.
Size: Leaf: approx. 405x285 mm. Printed area : approx. 280x180mm.
References: H *13016; BMC II, 321; Bod-inc R-002; BSB-Ink R-2; IGI 8268; Goff R-6.
Item No: PSA 149
