Glossed incunable leaf, 1498, with coloured initials added by hand.: The Gospel according to St. Luke

Nicolas De Lyra (c.1270-1340) was a French doctor of theology and teacher at the Sorbonne in Paris. His commentary on the Bible, Postilla litteralis, was the definitive biblical commentary from the late Middle Ages until the Reformation.

Martin Luther is claimed to have stated "Without Lyra we would understand neither the old or new testament."

Verso: Text in Latin printed in four sizes of a rounded gothic type on watermarked laid paper. Three coloured initials added by hand after the printing. Chapter and gloss headings marked in red. Capital letters touched in yellow. One manicule (pointing hand) and catchwords in the bottom margin. The text from Luke Chapter 12 is the central block of text and is surrounded by the gloss (commentary) of Nicolas de Lyra and others.

Recto: As Verso with two manicules.

Printer: Johann Froben and Johann Petry, Basel.

Date: December 1, 1498.

Content: The text is from Chapter 12 of Luke. The red 'M' begins Chapter 12:

Multis autem turbis circumstantibus ita ut se invicem conculcarent coepit dicere ad discipulos suos adtendite a fermento Pharisaeorum quae est hypocrisis.

(In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.)

Condition: The leaf is in fine condition, unblemished and expertly printed with bright hand initials and a clear watermark.

Size: Leaf: 290x210 mm.

References: Goff B-609, Gesamtkatalog der Wiegendrucke, 4284. ISTC No.ib00609000