[STUMPF, Johannes; KLOTZSCH, Franz; ADOLPHUS II, Prince o...

Handlung des Bischoffs von Merßburg mit den zwayen Pfarhern vo(n)Schonbach un(d) Buch geschehen am Dinstag nach Bartholomei Anno M.D.XXiii

      [Hieronymus Höltzel] [Nuremberg] 1523 4to . One of two issues (the other printed at Zwickau with noprecedence known) of this account by the minister from Schonbach Johannes Stumpf . It describes judicial examination by the Bishop of Merseberg, Prince Adolphus II, prince of Anhalt of both Stumpf and a colleague (Franz Klotzsch) from Büch regarding their evangelical convictions. Stumpf (1500-1578), Swiss chronicler and theologian, was one of the most important personalities of the Swiss Reformation. He "... entered the order of the Knights of St. John in Freiburg im Breisgau in 1521 and a year later was appointed prior at Bubikon, Zürich. He there declared himself for the Reformation and, as a friend of Huldrych Zwingli, worked faithfully for the Reformers until his retirement in 1562. Stumpf's reputation rests upon his 'Gemeiner loblicher Eydgnoschafft Stetten, Landen und Völckeren chronikwirdiger Thaaten Beschreybung' (1547–48), probably the most famous of Swiss chronicles, describing the deeds of places, lands, and people of the confederation. It was a standard work until the 18th century. (Enc. Brit.). The work is illustrated with a very handsome woodcut architectural title-border. Both issues rare with only single copies found in OCLC. Only Emory University copy located in the US [14] pp. (without last blank leaf). Woodcut title-border (J. Luther, Titeleinfassungen der Reformationszeit, 22e) which is dated "1522" at the bottom of the woodcut. Top corner of first two leaves expertly repaired (small piece of border invisibly inked in). § VD 16, S 9876; VD 16, K 1360; Kuczynski 968; Panzer II, 1940; Clemen, Flugschriften I, 64.2; Hohenemser 2997