Pürstinger, Berthold (formerly attributed to Ebser, Johannes)]

Onus Ecclesi[a]e

      Johann Weissenburger, Landshut [Germany] 1524 - The notoriously rare first edition of this important Catholic controversial work demanding Church reform. A complete and very wide-margined copy in an attractive German Renaissance binding. "Édition originale et la plus rare d'un ouvrage qui a été beaucoup plus recherché autrefois" - Brunet IV, 189. BINDING, COLLATION, ETC: Folio, text-block measures 300 mm x 205 mm. Binding: contemporary full blindstamped calf (recased and restored) over wooden boards, retaining original metal catches (the clasps are a modern replacement). Both boards panelled in blind with roundel centerpieces: the one on the front cover representing St. George slaying the dragon; on the rear - a heraldic crowned lion with the motto "IUSTUS NOSTER IN VIRTUTE TUA LAETABITUR REX" (cf. Psalm 21:1). The title "ONVS ECCLESIE" blindstamped on top of the front board. Unfoliated; [140] leaves. Signatures: A-P6 Q-Z46 Aa4 Bb6 (blank Bb6). COMPLETE. Large woodcut (measuring 22 cm x 16 cm.) on title page illustration. Lombard Initials. Printed in single column with marginal notes. Text in gothic type throughout. Imprint from colophon on recto of leaf Bb5; Errata on verso. Preface to the reader Corrector pio ac [.] lectori [.] on verso of title. CONDITION: Very Good. Complete, including the final blank. Extensive repairs to spine and corners of the original leather, but preserving most of the original blind-tooling; new endpapers and new clasps (original catches preserved). Minor worming to bottom (blank) margin of title leaf. Occasional light marginal damp-staining. A few leaves with early marginal notes and several passages underlined Couple of leaves with short marginal tears (without loss). Generally very clean, attractive, wide-margined copy. ADDITIONAL NOTES: Onus Ecclesiæ (i.e. "Burden of the Church"), written in 1519 and published anonymously (Landshut, 1524), is a fearless exposition, from a Catholic point of view, of the abuses then prevalent in the Church, calling for a purifying reform. The book occasioned much comment and controversy, and was several times reprinted. Around 1550 it was placed on the Index of heretical books. Ebert (A General Bibliographical Dictionary, 10784) calls this 1st edition "very scarce," noting that the 1531 Cologne reprint of the work is "mutilated". The magnificent large woodcut (Dodgson II, 428) on the title page illustrates various passages from the Book of Revelation. Let loose from his dungeon Satan (perhaps representing the protestants) is seen setting about the Church with cudgel and sword. REFERENCES: Brunet IV, 189; Caillet 8192; Ebert 10784; Graesse V p.24; VD16 P 2927. [Attributes: First Edition; Hard Cover]