Summary: This impotant work on natural theology was written by the Catalan scholar Raymond of Sabunde 1434-1436 and was circulated widely in manuscript form before being printed in Deventer 1484-85 and reprinted numerous times. Raymond places great emphasis on reason and argues that science is not antithetical to faith but that the Bible and the book of Nature should both be seen as divine revelation.
Signatures: pi⁶ a⁸ b-y⁶ z⁸ & ⁶ [con]⁸.
Imprint: from colophon.
Binding: Bound in contemporary deerskin over wooden boards, covers panelled and tooled in blind with repeated small rosette tool.
Additional Details: The second leaf (pi2) has a green painted initial A [Amor] on a gold ground with pink and blue edges, extending into the margins with green-stemmed pink and gold flowers on opposite side. The first leaf of the text proper (a1) Has a large blue painted initial A on a gold ground with pink and green edges, large pink and purple flowers, strawberries thistles and a Tromp l’oeil of a Dead fly, 3-line initials in alternating red and blue, rubricated throughout. Contemporary manuscript notes, including a two-line note on b2 recto, and on a2 verso is a marginal drawing of the scala naturae with the four gradus marked. Contemporary inscription of Johannes Pengl (Penngl) from Weissenburg in Bavaria, who was active in Eichstätt & Vienna, with a note of cost of binding on final paste down. Later notes and shelf-mark on front paste-down and loose sheet. Printed in 2 columns. Capital spaces with guide letters. Ampersand in signature statement represents a Tironian sign. This book was acquired to celebrate the career and contributions of Steven J. Kraftchick, Professor in the Practice of New Testament Interpretation and Director of General and Advanced Studies, on the occasion of his retirement, May 2020.