GREGORY I , Saint, Pope

Homiliae super Evangeliis. [Augsburg, Günther Zainer], 28 August

      First two initials in red and blue pasted over spaces. Folio. (303 x 205mm.) [142]ff. 33 lines, gothic letter. Early 19th century calf, possibly by C. Lewis, triple gilt fillet on covers, spine gilt in compartments, black morocco labels. 1473. First edition of the Homilies on the Gospels by Pope Gregory I which were among the most widely read and venerated texts of the Middle Ages. They were delivered to the people of Rome in 590-591 soon after his election to the papacy and represent his only surviving liturgical teaching. Unlike his other works which were delivered to monastic audiences, the Homilies on the Gospels are pastoral talks which he made more direct and less allegorical, with numerous examples drawn from life, so that the text also preserves significant anecdotes about Gregory himself, and the times he lived in. The work was enormously popular in the Middle Ages, and survives in over 400 manuscripts. Printed in Gunther Zainer's square heavy type, which the printer had begun to use from 1470. Gunther Zainer was the first printer in Augsburg; he was a native of Reurlingen and completed his first book at Augsburg on 12 March 1468. His press remained active until 1477, although he himself appears to have given up the business in 1475, and retired to the Buxheim Charterhouse where he died on 13 April 1478. Provenance. Armorial and monogrammed bookplates inside front cover of Sir John Hayford Thorold (1773-1831) and his library at Syston Park, sold at Sotheby's sale of the library 13 December 1884, lot 853 for £2-2s, to Willian Ridler, bookseller. John William Pease (1836-1901) and by descent to Christopher Henry Beaumont Pease (1924-2005), Lord Wardington, with his bookplate inside rear cover. H7948. GW 11418. BMC II, 319. Goff G417.