GREGORY I, Saint, Pope

Secundus dyalogorum liber beati Gregorij pape de vita ac miraculisbeatissimi Benedicti. Eiusdem almi patris nostri Benedicti regula.Speculum Bernardi abbatis casinensis de his ad que in professioneboligatur monachus

      [Jacopo Pencio and] Lucantonio Giunta Venice (13 March 1505) Contemporary gilt and blind tooled calf with gilt floral tools and a central "VTIS" with a circle. With two clasps (one is weak), all edges gilt and gauffered (some wear to head and tail of spine) 16mo . First Edition of the third text, Bernardo Ayglerio's Speculum. The main text is the life and miracles of Saint Benedict along with the regulations of his order. Fine wide margined copy of this handsomely illustrated piece of printing from the post-incunabular period in Venice which is bound in its original gilt calf binding with the original clasps intact. Only copy to come to auction is the Doheny copy, in a similar early binding but not as nice as this copy; described as having extensive repairs to the binding and new endpapers, lacking ties, two woodcut borders "shaved", resewn, etc. (1988; Doheny sale, lot no. 1366: $5,000 plus buyer's premium). [8], 192 leaves. Title printed in red with the woodcut lily Giunta device; sections of text printed in red and black; three full-page woodcuts and three leaves with historiated woodcut borders; three smaller text woodcuts; fine woodcut St. George device on last leaf which is otherwise blank; gothic type. Fine wide margined copy. § Camerini, Giunta no. 98; Isaac no. 13105; Essling I, p. 503-4, no. 529