Imitatio Christi. 1489

THOMAS A KEMPIS (1380-1471). Imitatio Christi. – Johannes GERSON. De meditatione cordis. Strasbourg: [Johann Prüss], 1489.

First illustrated Latin edition of the Imitatio Christi, the most influential devotional work of the later Middle Ages. It was a cornerstone of the devotio moderna, a lay movement advocating a religious life in imitation of Christ through instruction and meditation, aided here by the woodcut of Christ with a suppliant at this feet. HC(+Add) *9098; BMC I 123; Schreiber 5345; CIBN T-240; Bod-inc. T-107; BSB-Ink. T-177; Goff I-22; ISTC ii00022000.

Chancery octavo (135 x 90mm). 167 leaves (of 168, blank [A]7 replaced). Woodcut of Christ with rods and a scourge on title verso with evidence of early colouring, printed guide-letters, major initials illuminated and decorated by a south German artist (mostly washed out), rubricated (first two leaves rehinged, marginal repair at upper gutter of last few quires, tiny wormholes in last few leaves, small repairs in last leaf). Late 19th-century black leather-backed boards, spine lettered in gilt. Provenance: some early marginal annotations (washed).

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