Gesta Romanorum

Gesta Romanorum cum applicationibus moralisatis ac mysticis.

      [Anton Sorg,] [Augsburg:] [c1487.] Chancery Folio. 265 x 185 mm. a-c4,d-e6,j-g6,h-i6,k-l8,m-o6. Complete 98 ff = 186pp. Modern blind-tooled calf over original wood boards (some worming in boards), has decorated brass furniture but lacks clasp. A few marginal wormholes (a few letters touched) and minor dampstains in upper margin at end. Early index in manuscript on front paste-down, contemp. religious note at bottom of b8v, old ownerÕs inscription on recto of last leaf ÒBartholomaeus Weldpach.Ó dated 1528.Provenance: from the collection of Bjarne Saxhof (1953-2003), Civil Engineer, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby. Saxhof assembled a fine collection of printed books and manuscripts, including some important private press books Gothic type 50/51 lines per page, Initials supplied in red throughout. The Gesta is Ò.a medieval collection of illustrative tales and anecdotes for the use of preachers. Its name indicates what is supposed to be its unifying element: accounts of happenings in ancient Rome. Each story has a title suggesting a virtue or vice and an appendix pointing to a moral. The first collection, in Latin, was probably the work of an English Franciscan about 1330. Continuously expanded, it exerted a strong influence upon later writers such as Chaucer and Gower and enjoyed a considerable vogue well into the 16th century.Some stories, e.g. AtalantaÕs Race, derive from Greek myth; others, e.g. Androcles and the Lion, from late classical times. Several come fromAleandrian romance, Appolonius of Tyre being a notable example. Jewish and Indian lore, Christian writers like Geoffrey of Monmouth and local legends also provided a rich quarry.Ó [CassellÕs Ency. of World Lit.] Hain/Copinger 7739. GW 10895. Goff G290. Ce3 G290. CIH 1427. IBE 2659. IGI 4271. Deckert 326. GŸnther 135b. ISTC ig00290000. BSB G208. IBP 2399. BL. IB 6077. IGI 4271.