Two Essays on the Decretum of Gratian Hellmut Lehmann-Haupt and Charles McCurry

TITLE: Two Essays on the Decretum of Gratian by Hellmut Lehmann-Haupt and Charles McCurry, printed by Saul and Lillian Marks at the Plantin Press for Zeitlin & Ver Brugge and Bernard M. Rosenthal, 1971.____DESCRIPTION: Folio size - Book: 19 3/4 x 13 1/2 inches (500 x 340); Incunabular vellum leaf: 19 x 13" (483 x 330 mm). Book is 9 pages with vellum spine with marbled paper over boards with vellum corner tips. The vellum leaf is handsome, with generous margins, printed in red and black in four columns with the two shorter central columns for the Decretum text flanked by longer columns with commentary. Numerous paragraph flourishes and hand-painted initials in red and blue. Book is protected with a clear archival Grafix Dura Lar dust wrapper. Original plain gray cardboard slipcase.____CONDITION: Near fine condition. Minimal rubbing of vellum with light crease at head of spine. The mottled appearance of the vellum (scattered dark areas) is inherent to the vellum selected and is not soiling or staining. No writings or markings. Text block square and firm, all hinges intact. Free of foxing or toning. The vellum leaf is clean and bright, quite attractive, with slight rippling along the right edge and minimal toning of small portions of the periphery near the edges. Text block itself is in fine condition. Slipcase: Original thick gray cardboard slipcase is in good condition with sharp edges and corners. All edges have been reinforced with matching silver duct tape (see last photo)._____DISCUSSION: This leaf book features a folio-sized vellum leaf printed by Peter Schoeffer in 1472. The main text is set in Schoeffer's 'Bible type', his most beautiful typeface. Schoeffer was one of the most important German printers throughout the incunabular period. He was the son-in-law of Johann Fust and he worked in the printing shop of Johannes Gutenberg and Fust in 1455, when the Gutenberg Bible was printed. Fust later took over the press of Gutenberg and Schoeffer managed the press for Fust, finally assuming responsibiity for it after Fust's death in 1466 (or therebouts), continuing the press throughout the remainder of the 15th century. The two essays are short but informative, with Lehmann-Haupt briefly providing information on Peter Schoeffer of Gernsheim and the creation of his 1462 Bible type and McCurry discussing the historical importance of the Decretum of Gratianus of 1140, which became the code of canon law in he Roman Catholic church until 1918. Amongst modern private press leaf books, this is one of the most desirable and important. NOTE: International shipping cost to the United Kingdom and Europe is $55.