A doubleleaf from that rare incunabulum (a book printed between about 1452 and 1500 by means of movable type). The literal meaning of the Latin word incunabulum is "cradle". The fact that a book was printed before 1500 is significant in that its value is much greater than if it had been printed in 1501 or later.

There are several special bibliographies about incunabula which attempt to list books printed up to 1500. We identify this incunabulum by the reference number from the bibliography by L. Hain, Repertorium bibliographicum, in quo libri omnes ab arte typographica inventa usque ad annum MD recensentur.

The leaves for sale in this auction are from the book listed as number 3072 in that bibliography. It is listed in Goff, Incunabula in American Libraries, as number B564.

Each single leaf measures 16.25" x 11.25" (410 mm x 287 mm), the doubleleaf measures 16.25" x 22.5".

On laid paper with a flower type watermark. The large initials in red and blue were painted in by hand at the time of publication. Quite clean and wide margined with minor traces of soiling or light spots in the margins, most likely eraseable.

Minor edge damage.

Pictured: Recto and verso of the leaf for sale and the colophon of the bible showing the printing date.

koberger316-321$105.00

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