BARTHOLOMAEUS ANGLICUS (fl. 1230–1250). De proprietatibus rerum. [Basel: Berthold Ruppel, c.1479–1480].

Second edition of the most-read encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages. One of the earliest medieval encyclopaedias, Bartholomaeus’ The Nature of Things was first printed in Cologne in 1471 before this edition by Ruppel, first printer at Basel who had previously worked with Gutenberg at Mainz. By citing Classical and contemporary sources, compiling and re-presenting earlier sources and contributing original observations and perspectives, Bartholomaeus’ De proprietatibus rerum set a new standard for collecting the sum of knowledge and ushered in the 'Age of Encyclopaedias'. It is often cited as the most-quoted encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages, and was a vital source of information for readers across Europe.

With several sections on medicine, anatomy and physiology, the work contains early printed discussions of the brain as well as the four humours, and was important for informing popular understanding of physical and mental health. HC *2499; BMC III 716; BSB-Ink B-92; Bod-inc B-059; CIBN B-95; GW 3402; Goff B-130; Klebs 149.1; ISTC ib00132500.

Royal folio (405 × 288mm). 220 leaves. Initial spaces, pinholes (intermittent and mostly very light dampstaining with some associated soiling heavier in one or two places, front endpaper with some loss, minor worming, a couple of quires slightly browned, *9 with closed tear at margin). Contemporary German blind-stamped pigskin over wooden boards with manuscript title to upper cover, decorated in blind with unicorns, stags and flowers (old manuscript spine labels and some wear at foot, remnants of ties, minor worming). Provenance: Johannes Frödler (early bequest inscription on the front endpaper: ‘legatum a domino Johanne Frödler Sacre theol[ogi]e lice[n]ciato factum’) – Philosophy Faculty of the University of Freiburg im Breisgau, 1756 (inscription) – Basel Public Library (stamp on first leaf, deaccession stamp on final leaf) – Pierre L. Van der Haegen (Basel bibliographer; bookplate) – Max Liniger (commemoration bookplate on front endpaper).