Summary: Luther's translation from the original Greek of the New Testament is a landmark in the history of the German language. His forceful style ensured that his Thuringian-Saxon dialect would provide the standard for High German in years to come. From a religious standpoint, Luther's decision to refer to the original Greek rather than merely to translate the Vulgate ensured that the German New Testament would be much more faithful to the original. Erasmus' New Testament provided the basis for the translation. This particular copy represents the first printing of the German N.T., the so called September Bible 0f 1522. It is richly illustrated with woodcuts by Lukas Cranach, calling to mind Albrect Durer's series on the Apocalypse.

Printing the Reformation


Introduction to Printing

The printing press transformed the spread of information in Europe. Before its development, if a reader wanted a book, they would have to buy or commission a handwritten copy. The printing press, adapted from a wine press, used tiny pieces of movable type that could be inked and pressed to paper. It was laborious work, but allowed hundreds or thousands of copies of a text to be created at once.

The printing press brought many challenges with it. How was a printer to gauge supply and demand? What if a printer spent time and money printing a popular book, only to have another printer publish the same book? Where do you get the money upfront to produce a book, knowing you will not recuperate your investment for several months? Due to these issues, many of the first printers quickly went out of business. But by 1517, the year Luther arrived on the scene, printing was flourishing.

Printing During the Reformation

Luther mastered the art of printing. He wrote short pamphlets that could be printed quickly and sold cheaply. It was good business for printers and catered to a public eager to learn the newest updates in a growing movement. By 1525, Luther was by far the most published author since the invention of the printing press.

The entire movement began with the publication of Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses Against the Sale of Indulgences. This was a list of items Luther wished to discuss at an academic debate, but when it was translated from Latin into German, it quickly took off and grew into a larger movement.

Seeing how widely the Ninety-Five Theses spread, Luther opted to publish many of his writings in German instead of Latin, the traditional scholarly language. One of his greatest accomplishments was translating the New Testament into German in 1522. He translated this while hiding in the Wartburg, a castle belonging to his Lord and protector, the Elector of Saxony, after having been declared a heretic and outlaw at the Diet of Worms. Luther would later translate the Old Testament as well, publishing a complete German Bible in 1534.

Summary: This is Luther's final authorized edition of his Ninety-five Theses in book form with his own commentaries. The edition published by Rhau-Grunemberg had been so full of errors, that Luther gave the printing of this edition to Melchior Lotter in Leipzig.

Text

Resolutio[n]es disputationum

Summary: This is Luther's final authorized edition of his Ninety-five Theses in book form with his own commentaries. The edition published by Rhau-Grunemberg had been so full of errors, that Luther gave the printing of this edition to Melchior Lotter in Leipzig.Signatures: A-B6, C4, D-E6, F4, G-H6, I4, K8, L3, [A] unsigned, L3 blank.Illustrative and Decorative Content: Woodcut of the Deposition from the Cross on title page.Imprint: Place, printer, date from colophon.Additional Details: This volume was a gift of Richard and Martha Kessler, 1987. The manuscript marginalia in the text include three pages of manuscript annotations on blank, lower leaves. Contemporary manuscript marginalia through D1a, 3 p. of mss. annotations at end.

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Summary: Luther's translation from the original Greek of the New Testament is a landmark in the history of the German language. His forceful style ensured that his Thuringian-Saxon dialect would provide the standard for High German in years to come. From a religious standpoint, Luther's decision to refer to the original Greek rather than merely to translate the Vulgate ensured that the German New Testament would be much more faithful to the original. Erasmus' New Testament provided the basis for the translation. This particular copy represents the first printing of the German N.T., the so called September Bible 0f 1522. It is richly illustrated with woodcuts by Lukas Cranach, calling to mind Albrect Durer's series on the Apocalypse.

Text

Das Newe Testament Deůtzsch

Summary: Luther's translation from the original Greek of the New Testament is a landmark in the history of the German language. His forceful style ensured that his Thuringian-Saxon dialect would provide the standard for High German in years to come. From a religious standpoint, Luther's decision to refer to the original Greek rather than merely to translate the Vulgate ensured that the German New Testament would be much more faithful to the original. Erasmus' New Testament provided the basis for the translation. This particular copy represents the first printing of the German N.T., the so called September Bible 0f 1522. It is richly illustrated with woodcuts by Lukas Cranach, calling to mind Albrect Durer's series on the Apocalypse.Signatures: [Signed: [1], 2, 3, [4]], A-K6, L4, M-R6, S-T4, 2A6, a-n6, 2a-2b6, 2c-2d4, 2e6; T4, n6b, 2e6b blank.Illustrative and Decorative Content: Twenty-one woodcuts by L. Cranach occur in Revelations. Note papal crowned "Harlot of Babylon". Woodcut initials and printer's device.Binding: Contemporary binding: bleached pigskin over boards, blind-stamped.Additional Details: This copy bound with: Tauler, Johannes, ca. 1300-1361. Jaonnis Tauleri des heiligen lerers predig ... 1522. There is a former owner's signature on the upper flyleaf, as well as dome manuscript marginalia in the text. Acquired through the generous subvention of Richard and Martha Kessler in memory of Mr. Callie W. Kessler, 2007.

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Counterfeiting Luther

Today, when you open a book, you will often find its publication information on the front or back of the title page: the name of the publisher, where is was published, and the year of publication. This was often the case during the Protestant Reformation, though this practice was far from standardized.  In several instances, instead of listing the truthful city of publication, printers would instead list “Wittenberg” on the title page of their books by Luther.

Summary: Fredrick the Wise asked Luther to write to Emperor Charles V after the publication of his Open letter to the Christian Nobility in order to express his loyalty. Spalatin convinced Luther to write this letter of submission and edited it for publication.

Text

Ad Serenissimu[m] Principem [et] D[omi]n[u]m Do. Carolum V. : Rho. Caes. Impe. Aug. Hispaniarum rc̄. Rege[m]. Archiducem Austrie rc̄

Summary: Fredrick the Wise asked Luther to write to Emperor Charles V after the publication of his Open letter to the Christian Nobility in order to express his loyalty. Spalatin convinced Luther to write this letter of submission and edited it for publication.Signatures: A4; [A] unsigned, A4 blank.Benzing, Luther, lists printer as: "[Augsburg: Hans von Erfurt, 1520]"Binding: This volume was bound in vellum.Additional Details: There is a former ownership mark on upper pastedown reading "Erworben Mai 1930 aus der Biliotheck von Eduard Grisenbach," as well as a possible former owner's initials: "I. (J.) M." at the foot of the title page. There are also manuscript marginalia in the text.

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Decorated Borders

To help Luther’s works stand out on a crowded book stall, Wittenberg’s publishers adorned Luther’s pamphlets with decorative borders. Including such elements increased production costs, so such decoration was usually reserved for more expensive books. Including them on short, cheap works, such as Luther’s pamphlets, was an innovation. Soon, the counterfeit books also appeared with decorative borders.

Summary: First published earlier the same year, Luther's pamphlet Defense of the doctrines of men was one of Luther's most widely read writings with approximately twenty editions appearing in the years 1522 and 1523. Written in honor of Hans von Belepsch who had hosted Luther at the Wartburg as the reformer translated the New Testament. Luther argues that church teachings that have no basis in the Bible, in particular fasting and celibacy, are illegitimate and are to be avoided.

Uon Menschen leeren zu meyden

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Summary: A treatise by Luther on the relationship of belief and practice, intended for those "poor consciences, that lie captive to human laws in cloisters and monastic foundations", as he puts it in his preface. It is also noteworthy that Luther assumes his audience includes both those who could read his writings directly, and those who heard them read by others, when he dedicates his pamphlet "to all who read or hear this little book".

Uon Menschenn Lere zu meyden

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Counterfeiting Cranach

Many of the decorative borders used in Wittenberg were created by the workshop of the famed German Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder, court painter to the Elector of Saxony. Most of the portraits of Luther that survive today are paintings by Cranach.  Counterfeit printers soon began copying Cranach’s borders as well. For readers browsing a bookshop, it would be difficult to know which book was genuine or counterfeit.

Summary: This sermon on marriage is an elaboration of an earlier work no longer extant. In its present form there is no set Bible text, nor is the sermon designed for a particular place in the Church year.

Uom eelichen Leben

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Summary: This sermon on marriage is an elaboration of an earlier work no longer extant. In its present form there is no set Bible text, nor is the sermon designed for a particular place in the Church year.

Uom eelichen Leben

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