Horst - [Maroquin] Paradisus animae - 1666

Paradisus animae christianae – Jacob Merlo Horst, Cologne 1666

Stamped title with 8 full-page copper engravings.

A rare and significant devotional book by the German Jesuit and mystic Jacob Merlo Horst (1597–1644), published posthumously by the Cologne publisher Kinchu in 1666. The full title “Paradisus animae christianae” (Paradise of the Christian Soul) ranks among the most influential devotional works of the 17th century in the German-speaking Catholic world.

The present copy in the small duodecimo format impresses with its magnificent contemporary binding made of red morocco leather with a gilt spine title on the bands, gilt inner edges, a gold-tooled edge, as well as an engraved title leaf and eight copper plates outside the text. The illustrations give the volume a special iconographic value.

13.5 x 8 cm. 522 pp. + index. Red morocco binding with 5 bands, embossed gilt title on the spine. Marbled endpapers. Engraved title + 8 full-page copper engravings. Very good condition.