RODERICUS ZAMORENSIS (1404–1470). Speculum vitae humanae. Augsburg: Günther Zainer, 11 January 1471.

Second edition, the Spencer copy of the earliest dated book dealing with medicine. The first printer of Augsburg, Zainer gained renown in particular for his fine Gothic type which is used for the first time in this edition. Rodericus, sometime bishop of Zamora, writes at length of the various callings that a person can take up in life, discussing specific professions including those in medicine – making this mirror of the human condition, according to Paul Needham’s reckoning, the first printed book to discuss medicine. Dibdin’s catalogue of Althorp in the time of the 2nd Earl Spencer records the present copy: “This large and beautiful copy, once in the Eichstadt, and afterwards in the Augsburg collection (in which later it became a duplicate), is neatly bound in russia by Hering” (Aedes Althorpianae, II.255). HC *13940; BMC II 316; Bod-inc R-084; BSB-Ink S-59; CIBN R-137; GW M38455; Goff R-215; Klebs 857.3. ISTC ir00215000.

Chancery folio (308 × 208mm). 128 leaves. 2 large blue initials with red Maiblumen decoration, other initials, paragraph marks, and underlining in red (blank upper corner of first leaf renewed, some repaired worming in blank lower margins, a little dustsoiling at beginning). Crushed chestnut russia by Charles Hering, with his ticket, tooled in gilt and blind with John Rylands monogram at centre, gilt edges (discreetly rebacked preserving original spine); modern box. Provenance: early marginalia and maniculae – Library of the Prince Bishop at Eichstädt (inscription on title) – [Augsburg? (Dibdin)] – George John, Earl Spencer (Bibliotheca Spenceriana morocco label) – John Rylands library (supralibros and withdrawal plate dated 1988; sold Sotheby’s, 14 April 1988, lot 73, to:) – George Abrams (bookplate, his sale Sotheby’s 17 November 1989, lot 109) – Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica (bookplate).