Incunable 1498 confessional in a contemporary binding with manuscript pastedowns and woodcut colophon depicting the mediaeval Wild man and Woman

Incunable confessional in a contemporary binding with manuscript pastedowns and woodcut colophon depicting the mediaeval Wild man and Woman

-"Manuale confessorum metricum" by Hermannus de Sittard
-Printed in Cologne by Hermann Bungart – 21st March 1498.
-21.5 x 15cm
-Collation: [2], 1-178 - 6A–ZA–D466E–K46 - (180 of 196 leaves)
-This copy is missing all after the main text and colophon – namely the Index, the Censura ecclesiastica and the Mare Magnum.

-Contemporary pigskin binding (missing clasp) and 15th Century manuscript (batarde) pastedowns.

The Manuale confessorum was a widely used text in the late Middle ages. It advised clergy on how to receive confession, how to manage their congregations’ sins (such as adultery and theft), and how to give appropriate penances and absolutions. Today, this gives us insight into the mediaeval mind and how everyday sins were managed in a religious time.

The woodcut engraving on the colophon depicts the Nativity, framed with gothic architecture and the Crest of the city of Cologne. A wild man and women are depicted on either side with the caption stating that the printer’s shop was near the old market at the sign of the "Wyllden man"

The Wild man was common in mediaeval art and represented man in his original state - without reason or religion. It reminded the reader of the importance of God and civilisation in the contemporary world. It’s roots were in pagan rituals however, and the image continued to remind readers of the life of a "noble savage" - who lived in harmony with nature.

GW notes 76 copies both complete and fragmentary, but only 3 in America: New Haven, Chapel Hill, Toronto

£2750