SAINT JOHN OF DAMASCUS. Translated into Latin by Jacques Lefevre d'Etaples, commentary by Josse Clichtove.:

In hoc opere contenta.THEOLOGIA DAMASCENI quatuor libris explicata: et adiecto ad litteram commentario elucidata. I. De ineffabili divinitate. - II. De creaturarum genesi, ordine Moseos. - III. De ijs quae ab incarnatione usq[ue] ad

      Parisijs : 1512. resurrectionem Christi. - IIII. De ijs quae post resurrectionem usq[ue] ad universalem resurrectionem.Second edition, Latin text, Parisijs : Ex Officina Henrici Stephani, 1512. 8vo, 275 x 180 mm, 10¾ x 7 inches, engraved title page , title enclosed in a circle within pictorial border of angels and flowers incorporating the arms of the University of Paris and the initials H.S. of the printer, 4 diagrams in the text, numerous decorated and pictorial initials, leaves 1-125, 145-203, LACKING LEAVES 126-144, also lacking final blank C4, present on the last 5 leaves are index, errata and colophon, text in roman letter alternating with commentary in small roman, bound in full old vellum with music staves ruled red in with black notes and words, hand lettered title to spine, old paper label to tail of spine, all edges dark green, traces of ties to covers and pastedowns. Vellum discoloured and lightly soiled along edges, a couple of stains to lower cover, a few pinholes, 2 very small cracks to upper hinge, spine darkened and spotted, front inner hinge cracked, neat inscription and library number to front endpapers, title page blank margins trimmed away and title page laid down on old paper long ago, 3 small light ink stains and a little browning to title, no loss of legibility or image, small strip of paper pasted at bottom of circle to hide inscription, small blank shield at foot of border has been decorated and date of 1521 inserted below it, a further signature below this is dated 1603, small old library stamp to reverse of title page, top outer corners of leaves 2-8 slightly weak at tip, some with tiny chip or short closed tear, occasional early Latin marginal notes and discreet underlining, especially to leaves 2-10, occasional pointing hand or emphasis marks beside the text, light brown stain affects fore-edge margin intermittently to a greater and lesser degree, 1 or 2 other small pale stains, small hole to 2 inner margins, vertical closed tear to 1 inner margin with tiny chip at top edge, another to inner margin of final 2 leaves, all neatly repaired, a few fore-edge margins slightly trimmed just shaving a few side notes, most still easily legible. Binding tight and firm. Defective copy of scarce post-incunabula (lacking 19 leaves as noted). This translation by the important French humanist and theologian Lefevre d'Etaples, given the title De Fide Orthodoxa at the end of the 4th book, was first published in 1507 but that edition did not contain Part IV or the commentary by the Belgian theologian Josse Clichtove. This is considered to be the most important work of St. John of Damascus (c. 676 – 749) and was originally the third part of his The Fountain of Wisdom. Adams, Books Printed in Europe 1501-1600, Volume I, J-278; Harvard, French 16th Century Books, Volume II, No. 329. Images sent on request.