Opera
Tertullian(155-240) edited by Beatus Rhenanus(1485-1547) 
Basel, 1521
 
Editio Princeps, printed by the famed Johann Froben, of the early Christian author’s collected works. The Carthaginian was the first church leader to write his works in Latin – focusing on the defense of the burgeoning religion via various treaties ranging from baptism to heretics. A forerunner of Augustine, his contributions helped Christianity’s rise from persecuted minority to an influential part of Roman life. 
 
Beatus Rhenanus - German humanist who was close to the Reformation but ultimately remained Catholic, and dear friend of Erasmus - relied primarily on two Middle Age manuscripts that he discovered at monasteries in Peterlingen and Hirschau. 
 
“Erasmus rejoiced over Rhenanus’ edition of Tertullian and observed that Cyprian loved and Jerome praised Tertullian highly. Erasmus saw himself suffering the same kind of persecution that drove Tertullian from the Church.”(Coogan)
 
First edition, folio(12 3/4 x 8 1/4 in.). Collation: a6, b8, a-z6, A-Z6, Aa-Dd6, Ee8, Ff-Ii6, Kk10. Title page with elaborate woodcut of Lucian's Vitae Aulicae, titled Imago Vitae Aulicae by Ambrosius Holbein and used by Froben for the first time in his 1518 edition of Erasmus' Historiae Augustae Scriptores. Dedication page with another elaborate woodcut depicting the myth of Tantalus and Pelops(chopped up, made into a stew, and served to the gods) by Holbein the Younger; another border by Jacob Faber with designs by Holbein. The book is dedicated to Stanislaus Thurzo, bishop of Olmutz in western Moravia(Czech Republic).
 
Historiated initials throughout. Bound in contemporary full alum-tawed pigskin, blind-tooled with papal arms, catches and clasps present, all edges stained blue. Some worming - lesser at the beginning and a bit more at the end, paper repairs on title page corner and on the last few leaves, some contemporary notes throughout. Early ownership stamp dated 1681 depicting Saint George slaying the dragon pasted in margin at the foot of title. Additional ownership stamp of the Benedictine Ochsenhausen Abbey. A Near Fine copy of a really beautiful production. Only 4(?) copies in the U.S. and very uncommon in this condition.