CYPRIANUS, Caecilius Thascius, Bishop of Carthage. Opera [edited by Giovanni Andrea, Bishop of Aleria].
Roma, Conrad Sweynheym e Arnold Pannartz, 1471
First edition of the letters of Saint Cyprian. A magnificent Roman edition, edited by the Bishop of Aleria, Giovanni Andrea, who includes a dedicatory letter to Pope Paul II at the beginning of the volume. This text was quickly reprinted by Vindelino of Speyer in Venice that same year.
A wide range of topics are covered, including: On Zeal and Anger; On the Virtue of Patience; On Mortality; On the Garment of Virgins; On Falls; That Idols Are Not Gods; To Quirinus Against the Jews, Books 1–2; On Mounts Sinai and Zion; On the Revelation of the Head of the Blessed John the Baptist.
Saint Cyprian, born around 210 AD, was originally a pagan rhetorician who converted to Christianity at the age of 35. After his conversion, he dedicated his life to the Church, becoming Bishop of Carthage in 248 AD. Cyprian is known for his eloquence and for his theological writings, which have had a lasting impact on Christian doctrine. During his episcopate, he faced numerous challenges, including the persecution of Christians and internal disputes within the Church.
BMC IV, 12 (IB.17161); GW 7883; Pr 3315; Goff C-1010.
Folio. 312×220 mm. 18th-century quarter vellum binding, ivory-colored cardboard covers, corners. 183 unnumbered leaves. Collation: [a4 b¹° c8 d–m¹° n¹² o–s¹° t¹²]. Three blank leaves are missing ([a1], [b1], [t12]). Roman type. White spaces reserved for initials. Full-page text in 38 lines. On leaf [b2r]: “Incipiunt epistole Cecilu Cypriani ad Cornelium Papam” Colophon at the end, on folio [t11] “Conradus suueynheym: Arnoldus pannartzq: magistri Rome impresserunt ... Petrus cum fratre Francisco Maximus ambo huic operi aptatam contribuere domum, 1471”.
Restoration with reinforcements at the margins of the first three leaves; stains on several leaves. The final leaf, bearing the register and date, is heavily damaged. Replaced by a masterfully handwritten page.