MARCHESINUS, Johannes (b. c.1300). Mammotrectus super Bibliam. Venice: Nicolaus Jenson, 23 September 1479.

Jenson edition of the Mammotrectus, illuminated and in a contemporary binding. This popular guide for priests explains difficult Biblical words, the legends of the saints, and various liturgical texts. The text was probably first printed in 1470 by Peter Schoeffer, and thus went into many subsequent editions and formats. This edition is from the press of Nicolaus Jenson, a Frenchman working in Venice who was famed for the beauty of his roman types—here adorned by illuminated initials and neat rubrication. Goff M-239; Bod-inc M-085; BMC V 180; BSB-Ink M-158; GW M20819.

Chancery quarto (215 x 148mm). 260 leaves. First leaf with illuminated bas-de-page decoration, 4 illuminated initials on green and red grounds, other initial spaces filled in red and blue; rubricated, with shoulder notes in red and capital strokes in yellow (dampstain to lower margin at ends, repaired tear in margin of one leaf, one bifolium in tabula sprung). Contemporary blindstamped pigskin with title on upper board (boards worn, lacking bosses and straps, tailband separating, skillfully restored with newer endpapers). Provenance: a few marginal notes, including longer passage on John Chrysostom on final leaf – remains of printed paper label on spine with double-headed Eagle.