Jacobi Feucht - Der kleinen Catholischen Postill - 1576

This book is a remarkable piece of history: it is a Postilla (a collection of sermons and commentaries on the Gospels) from the time of the Counter-Reformation, printed in 1576.
Title: The Little Catholic Postilla / Jacob Feucht / Bishop of Bamberg... (The Little Catholic Postilla of Jacob Feucht, Auxiliary Bishop of Bamberg). Author: Jacob Feucht (1540-1580), renowned Catholic theologian and figure of the Counter-Reformation. Date and Place of Publication: Cologne (Köln), 1576. Printed by Gerwin Calenius and the heirs of Johann Quentel. Language: German (Gothic characters / Fraktur).

State and Characteristics
Antique binding: full pigskin richly blind-stamped. The decoration is typical of the German Renaissance, with historiated borders depicting biblical figures and saints (notably 'DOCTOR GEN' for Saint Paul).
More than 489 pages, plus 7 pages.

Clasp: Presence of a remaining part of the original metal clasp (tenon).

Illustration: Very beautiful title-frontispiece framed by wood engravings (xylographies) depicting the Evangelists and biblical scenes. Presence of ornate initial letters and a large printer's mark at the end of the work representing a phoenix with the motto 'In morte vita' (Life in death).

Provenance: Ex-libris of 'Michel Jequier'.

Condition: Solid binding despite wear on the corners and tips. Some old ink stains on the title page. Yellowed but healthy paper, typical of the 16th century.