Scarce 1472 Incunable – Likely the first book printed by Michael Wenssler – the second printer in Basel

Scarce 1472 Incunable – Likely the first book printed by Michael Wenssler – the second printer in Basel

"De modo perveniendi ad veram et perfectam Dei et proximi dilectionem." 

-Printed in Basel by Michael Wenssler not after December 1472 -Chancery quarto in early 19th Century gilt calf (20.5 x 14.5cm)

-Complete text – 125 (of 126 leaves) missing the first blank (a1) Collation: a10b-e8,fg10,h-p8

-[2] introductory pages, [2] pages of index and 120 leaves containing 51 chapters of text, followed by a final blank.

-Printed in Red and black ink. One contemporary hand coloured drop cap in blue, red and gold. Rubrication to text in red and yellow throughout.

-19th Century calf in good condition. Light 1 inch water staining to bottom of first 10 leaves not affecting text. 1534 Cologne ownership inscription at the top of the title page (trimmed).

Michael Wenssler was the second Printer in Basel, and played a key role in establishing Basel as one of the most important cities in the story of early printing. Basel university had been founded in 1460, leading to an increased need for printed works. Wenssler was active from c1472 until his death in 1499 , producing theological as well as classical and legal texts. He produced much of his work alone, but also produced some texts alongside Basel’s first printer Berthold Ruppel.

The work "On the way to arrive at true and perfect love of God and neighbour" is the only incunable edition of this work of mediaeval mystical theology. The devotional text describes the ways of arriving at the perfect love of God, and was written by Henricus Arnoldi (c1407- 1489) who was prior of the Carthusian monastery in Basel from 1449-1480. Arnoldi discusses Charity, Love, violence, as well as doubt in God. The Carthusians were a strict order and would have spent many hours reflecting and praying to God and contemplating the meaning of Life, Love and Death. The Text concludes with a prayer to the Virgin Mary, that she may grant grace and charity on the reader.

ISTC ia01061000, GW 2511. 3 copies in USA (Huntington, Morgan, Harvard)

£9250