BADE (Josse). - Lot 31

BADE (Josse). Navis stultifera a domino Sebastiano Brant primu(m) edificata : & lepidissimis teutonice lingue rithmis decorata : Deinde ab Jacobo Lochero philomuso latinitate donata : et demu(m) ab Jodoco Badio Ascensio vario carminu(m) genere nõ sine eorundem familiari explicatione illustrata. Basel: Nikolaeus Lamparter, March 15, 1507. - In-4, 202 x 151 : Cvij ff., (1 f.). Stiff parchment, smooth spine, brass and leather clasps, speckled edges (17th-century binding). Second Basel edition of this reinterpretation by Josse Bade (c. 1461-1535) of the Nef des Fous by Alsatian humanist Sébastien Brant (1457-1521). This is one of the earliest and most famous literary satires of the failings of the Church and human vices. Bade divided Brant's original text into 113 verse sections, each accompanied by a prose explanation. The Latin translation was produced by Jakob Locher (1471-1528), who had already proposed the first Latin version of La Nef des fous in 1497. One of the most famous early illustrated books. Early editions of this text are indeed characterized by their abundant illustrations. This one features 115 woodcuts, including one on the title, one on a full page, and the others on three-quarter pages, bordered by a decorative frieze. These illustrations come from the original German edition published in Basel in 1494, and more than half are attributed to the famous engraver Albrecht Dürer. The title is printed in red and black, and the printer's mark appears on the colophon. A fine copy in 17th-century binding, from the library of the historian and secretary to the Bremen council Johann Heinrich Eggeling (1639-1713). His name is inscribed in ink on the title, on a section restored during binding, with the words: "Ministerium Joh. Henr. Eggeling." Eggeling devoted part of his life to historical and numismatic studies, publishing several books, notably on antiquity. The work subsequently belonged to Helen Maitland Gibson, daughter of Sir Alexander Charles Maitland, baronet of Clifton Hall, and wife of Jules Maitland Hog of Newliston (1799-1858), Scottish lawyer and landowner. Dirt to binding, hinge of first board fragile. Restored tear at one corner of title, with ink transfer of missing part of engraving on verso. Provenance: Johann Heinrich Eggeling, with handwritten bookplate on title. - Helen Maitland Gibson, with her armorial bookplate engraved by Benjamin Wion (1802-1858).