Philipp Melanchthon - Annotationes in Evangelium - 1542

An outstanding theological and reformational work in a late Latin edition, in a characterful parchment binding using a manuscript leaf.

Publishing house: Frankfurt, Peter Braubach, 1542. 8 unnumbered leaves, 134 numbered leaves, 2 unnumbered leaves. 15 × 10 cm. Later flexible parchment binding using a medieval manuscript leaf
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Last Latin edition of Melanchthon’s influential commentary on the Gospel of John, whose first print run appeared in 1523 at Cratander in Basel. The text belongs to the central exegetical works of the Reformer and concisely records his theological interpretation of the fourth gospel, set in the tension between Law and Grace. The Frankfurt edition of 1542 also represents a late authorized textual form and reflects the mature phase of Melanchthon’s theological argumentation.

The binding is particularly appealing: a later parchment cover made using a described manuscript leaf, whose translucent script rendering gives the volume pronounced individuality and historical charm. Such secondary use of waste parchment manuscripts are typical witnesses of early modern book culture.
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A touch itsy, with moisture staining toward the end; the book block noticeably shifted, yet solid. Overall an authentic and appealing specimen of this important reformational-era edition.