Compendium theologicae veritatis [with table by Thomas Dorniberg
ULM: Johann Zainer, ca. 1478-80). [not after 1480] [Notes CIBN dates not after 1480 from the date of rubrication in Württemberg LB copy (cf. Amelung, Frühdruck)], 1478. 162 leaves. [*12+1a10 b8 c10 d-e8 f-i10/8 k10l12; m10 n-o8 p-z, aa10.8 bb-dd10] 40 lines, single column, headlines. Gothic type (type: 4:96G, 5:136G). Many initials rubricated in red, capitals accented in red, and section titles underlined in red. Folio (260 x 190 mm).162 leaves. 40 lines, single column, headlines. Gothic type (type: 4:96G, 5:136G). Many initials rubricated in red, capitals accented in red, and section titles underlined in red.
Bound in original red doe skin over bevelled wooden boards, decoratively stamped in blind with alternating floral and fleur de-lis pattern, remnants of original clasps, old paper label on spine, boards and spine heavily rubbed and worn, large chip out of top corner of rear board, lower corner very worn, spine ends chipped. Small scattered worming; Catalogue description on front paste-down; lengthy early description in ink on recto of front blank; title in ink at head of first printed. ISTC ia00233000:
Goff A233; (not in BMC); H 438*; Amelung, Frühdruck I 36; Bod-inc A-105; GW 599; BSB-Ink H-399; GW 599
See: Wegener :Die Zainer in Ulm: Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte des Buchdrucks im XV. Jahrhundert and Amelung, Peter. Der Frühdruck im deutschen Südwesten, 1473-1500. Bd. 1 [etc]. Stuttgart, 1979- [in progress]. I 36 438J. Item #792
The "Compendium theologicae" has a long history of being misattributed to an array of authors such as Albert Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas Dorinberg, and Bonaventure, among others, but is now more certainly considered to be by Hugo Ripelin (1205-70), a Dominican theologian from Strasbourg. Apart from the works of Thomas Aquinas, the "Compendium" was the most widely read work of Dominican theology, being used as a textbook for close to 400 years. The Compendium is indeed a monumental achievement. It impresses by its superb organization, its concise exposition of an amplitude of topics and of supporting rationales. It is also, for the most part, written in clear Latin, making it more easily accessible to clergy who may not have been as fluent in Latin as were the monks. The Compendium is divided into seven books, each having its own set of
themes, as indicated by these books’ titles: (1) On the Nature of the Deity; (2) On the Works of the Creator; (3) On the Corrupting Effect of Sin; (4) On the Humanity o f Christ; (5) On the Sanctifying-Effect of the Graces; (6) On the Efficacy of the Sacraments; (7) On the Last Times and on the Punishments of Those Who are Evil and the Rewards of Those Who are Good. Each of the books is sub-divided into a series of specific issues the development of which is meant to give guidance to preachers and to students of theology. The fact that these issues are so central to Christian belief helps to explain why there survive not only some 469+ Latin manuscripts1 but also some 57 medieval German translations—and, later, some 59 printed editions.2
Also attributed to Hugo (Ripelin) Argentinensis (M. Grabmann, Mittelalterliches Geistesleben vol.1 (München, 1926) pp.174-185).
Price: $27,000.00