Holcot, Robert. (1290- 1349

[Super sapientiam Salomonis] Opus preclarissimum eximij d[omi]ni magistri roperti holkot sacre theologie moralissimi at[que] doctissimi p[ro]fessoris ordinis fratru[m] p[rae]dicator[um] sup[er] sapie[n]tia[m] salomonis qua[m] philo disertissimus collegit .. Jncipit feliciter.

Speier: Per me Petrum Drach ciuem Spiren[sem] impressu[m], 1483. This copy is bound in original red sheep over wooden boards with eight bosses and remains of clasps and catches. It is quite am impressive original binding. There is a woodcut printer's device of Peter Drach (22 x 32 mm) on leaf t7v: "an early variation of Schöffer's double shield suspended on a branch. Obviously, the dragon on the left shield is a play on the printer's name. The meaning of the tree standing on a triple mound, with two stars, is unknown."--M. Harman, Printer's and publisher's devices in incunabula in the University of Illinois Library, no. 40. Goff H289; BM 15th cent.,; II, 493 (IB. 8537); ISTC https://data.cerl.org/istc/ih00289000 ih00289000; Walsh, J.E. 15th cent. printed books,; 848;  Hain-Copinger,; 8757*; Proctor,; 2352;. Item #859

This is a work on the Proverbs of Solomon which claims to be by Robert Holcot or Thomas Waleys is most likely spurious. Holcot was an English born Dominican philosopher and biblical exegete, professor of theology at Oxford and a follower of William of Ockham s scholasticism. There are many works certainly authored by Holcot which have similar enough subject and treatment of those subject to make the inclusion of this work into Holcot's authentic works understandable. Holcot stands out among his contemporaries who were among the first generation to have developed their philosophical/theological positions after the influence of William Ockham. Because of this Holcot is often understood and considered in relation to a few categories of thinkers including -Agnosticism, Skepticism (in the Ockhamian sense) and Convenantism.
Where might be the source of wisdom? A heretical question almost

The Supra sapientiam Salomonis consists of over 100 lectiones which situationalizes the concept of Wisdom itself as a specific theological loci imposing Scholastic method informed by Ocham's scepticism. What is interesting is that this treatment of Solomon's proverbs throw a different light on Holcot's understanding of the relation of and reason than the traditional charge of scepticism . These included the Meaning of wisdom, its acquisition (source) as well as why princes and magistrates should study to achieve it through piety and philosophy. It is this peculiar emphasis which sets Holcot's work apart from his contemporaries.
This commentary on the Book of Wisdom (Lectiones super librum Sapientiae), has been identified as a prime literary source for Chaucer's Nun's Priest's Tale. Holkot made original use of his biblical, patristic and classical sources including Seneca and Lucan. He used anecdotes and fables on Greek gods and mythological figures drawn, from Ovid s Metamorphoses.

Price: $18,000.00