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[Johannes Balbus]. Single leaf from the Catholicon....
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Description
[Johannes Balbus]. Single leaf from the Catholicon. [Mainz: Johannes Gutenberg?, 1460 (not before 1469)].Single folio leaf measuring 14 1/2 x 11 1/4 inches; 367 x 284 mm. Text printed in two columns on both recto and verso, 66 lines each, with rubricated initials (one nine-line, the remaining one-line) and rubricated section markers.
FIRST EDITION of the first known etymological dictionary ever printed, Second Issue, printed on Galliziani paper watermarked with Needham's D.i.mR or D.ii.mL (but presumed D.ii.mL). According to ISTC, "Three issues can be distinguished in spite of identical typesetting: a) printed on vellum or Bull's head paper; b) on Galliziani paper; c) on Tower & Crown paper. This has given rise to the theory that issue a) was printed in 1460, issue b) in 1469 and issue c) about 1472." Another theory exists that all issues were printed concurrently by multiple printers in 1469.
Condition: Paper lightly toned, especially at edges; some spotting and thumbsoiling; a few light chips at edges, some where leaf was disbound not affecting text.
References: GW 03182; Hain 2254; ISTC ib00020000; Paul Needham, Johann Gutenberg and the Catholicon Press, PBSA, Vol. 76, Fourth Quarter, 1982, pp. 395-456; USTC 743192.
Auction Info
2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction #6323 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2025
15th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 6
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