In novum testamentum Annotationes, ab ipso autore iam quartum recognitae... auctario neuti poenitendo locupletataes.

Basel, Joh. Froben, Febr. 1527. Half-title with woodcut printer's device, title-page within woodcut architectural border, 2nd title-page fol. 1v. with different figured woodcut border, different printer's device on last leaf verso and at the end, numerous large and small figured woodcut initials in the text, by Urs Graf, Ambrosius Holbein, and Hans Frank. 4 leaves, 710, (1) pp.; (28) leaves index. Folio. 17th century calf, back gilt (joints and foot of spine somewhat restored). Old ms. name on title. Basel, Joh. Froben, Febr. 1527. An important document of the humanistic spirit , and remarkably beautifully printed with outstanding book decoration during Erasmus' lifetime. In the early years of the 16th century the demand for the original text of the New Testament began to mount and Erasmus (1467-1536) soon saw the necessity to translate the original Greek text into Latin. His first text-critical edition of the New Testament was one of the important foundations for Reformation theology. These present Erasmus commentaries were the first ferment of theological discussion at that time and are of great value. This is the 4th printing of the additional text notes contributed by Erasmus. They show mistakes that ancient theologians had made during their translation, and revealed misunderstandings that had arisen due to the lack of knowledge of the text copyists. The first separate printing of this work was done by Froben at Basel in 1519 (Bezzel 1212) as an indepent work. Through the years probably altogether a total of eight editions appeared as listed by most of the bibliographers. Numerous excerpts and vernacular versions circulated later.- Some little wormholes in the last 30 leaves, some spots, otherwise with wide margins, and still a good copy. - VD 16 E 3096; Adams E-891; Vander Haeghen II, 58; Bezzel 1215; Hieronymus, Oberrhein. Buchillustration II, 302 (detailed); cf. Knaake II, 302. BIBLES ; HELVETICA: ALLGEMEIN ; BIBELN, RELIGION ; HUMANISM ; REFORMATION ;