Decorative coloured initials added by hand.
Rainerius of Pisa “Pantheologia” leaf,1474. Commentary on the Prophet Daniel’s vision of the four beasts.
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 watermarked rag paper. Two five-line initials, ’S’ and ‘P’, in red added by hand after the printing. Paragraph markers.
Verso: As Recto, with two five-line initials ’E’ and ‘P’ in red.
Printer: Günther Zainer, Augsburg.
Date: 1474.
Title: Rainerius de Pisis. Pantheologia, sive Summa universae theologiae.
Content: The red initial ‘P’ on Verso begins Rainerius’ discussion on the prophet Daniel’s vision of four world empires, symbolised as four beasts (Daniel 7:1–14). See the notes below.
The chapter 62 heading above the initial reads: De quarta bestia expositio litteralis. (The literal Interpretation of the Fourth Beast).
Condition: This near 550 year old leaf is in excellent condition, sharply printed on high quality rag paper with a clear watermark. Original margins all round. Apart from some slight edge browning the leaf is faultless. It is unconditionally guaranteed genuine.
Size: Size of leaf: approx. 405x285 mm. Printed area : approx. 280x180mm. Please note that shipping is invoiced separately.
Notes: The fourth beast that Daniel saw rising from the sea was the most dreadful—“terrifying and frightening and very powerful” (Daniel 7:7). The fourth beast had “bronze claws” (verse 19) and “great iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left” totally annihilating its prey (verse 7). Rainerius discusses the symbolism of the fourth beast as representing the Roman Empire.
References: H *13016; BMC II, 321; Bod-inc R-002; BSB-Ink R-2; IGI 8268; Goff R-6.
Item No: PSA 145
