[Fine Binding] 1566 1st Ed. , Biography of and similar items

Camerarius, Joachim, DE PHILIPPI MELANCHTHONIS ORTU, TOTIUS VITAE CURRICULO ET MORTE, Lipsiae [Leipzig]: Excudebat Ernestus Voegelin Constantiensis, 1566. First edition period full alum-tawed pigskin hardcover w/intact clasps, 8vo (7.5x4.75"/12x19 cm), very good/n.a., [20], 119, [1], 420-423, [20] pp. Pig skin binding blind stamped with roundels of Melanchthon, Luther, Erasmus, and Jan Hus, and acanthus motifs around a figure of Justice and date 1567 on the front board; back board with similar border decoration around a scene depicting the suicide of Lucrecia; raised bands; original metal clasps. Binding rubbed, mild soiling, minor wormholes; light toning to text; very good or better. The first and most important biography of Philipp Melanchthon, written by his friend and a first edition at that. A note on the title page indicates that a previous owner purchased this copy in 1713, and there are light annotations throughout in the same hand. Adams C420; VD16 C 502. What a marvelous Capture of Tyme - quite the distinctive book indeed! The binding style found here is common in German and Dutch books from the latter half of the 16th century but is particularly interesting for its roundels depicting "reformation" figures Luther and Melanchthon alongside Jan Hus and, somewhat questionably, Erasmus, who certainly inspired the later reformers but remained a Catholic through his entire life. The figure of Justice on the front board features the initials "C C I" and the inscription, "Iustitiae quisquis picturam lumine cernis, dic Deus est iustus, iustaque facta probat." The back cover features similar roundels around a depiction of the suicide of Lucricia and additional inscription.