BIBLIA, DAS IST: DIE GANTZE HEILIGE SCHRIFT, ALTES UND NEUES TESTAMENTS VERTEUTSCHT VON HERRN DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER

Nuremberg: J. A. Endter, 1720. 433 x 278mm. (17 x 11"). 68 p.l. (first blank), 1-664, [1]-904 pp., [8] leaves.
ONCE SPECTACULAR AND STILL REMARKABLY IMPRESSIVE CONTEMPORARY GERMAN CALF, ELABORATELY GILT WITH A PAINTED BROWN STRAPWORK DESIGN OVER REVERSE BEVELLED WOODEN BOARDS, two cartouches on each cover with four- or five-line quotations from the Bible, initials "J A B" and "D B" and the date "1726" on upper cover, the strapwork forming geometric compartments filled with gilt foliate and floral sprays accented with small putti, raised bands, spine gilt in compartments with central strapwork lozenge containing gilt flower surrounded by foliage, two brass and (probably later) leather clasps, dramatic endpapers of green and gilt decorated paper, edges gilt and gauffered in ornate lily pattern, some expert restoration at spine ends and at top and bottom of joints. With woodcut initials and tailpieces, additional engraved title page, 11 engraved portraits of the Dukes of Saxony, engraved portrait of Luther by Kilian after Sandrart (missing an additional portrait of Luther), and 28 engraved plates and plans, seven of them double-page. ◆Paint and gilt somewhat rubbed, other signs of use to the binding but the once-magnificent binding quite sound and still very, very striking. Occasional minor foxing, stains, and thumbing, N5 with five-inch curving tear into text (no loss), two plates with old six- to seven-inch tears into image (one mended on verso with discolored cellotape), a handful of other minor tears, but still a pleasing copy internally, generally quite clean and fresh.

At 5 1/4" thick and with a lavish overall decorative design, this is a memorable specimen of a German post-fanfare binding, very likely produced as a wedding gift for the couple whose initials appear on the cover. Support for this supposition resides in the binding's quotations from German Scripture traditionally used at Lutheran weddings: Genesis 2:18 ("And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helpmeet for him") and Colossians 3:14 ("But above all these things clothe yourselves in love, which is the bond of perfection"). A perfect family Bible for a young couple of high degree, this handsomely illustrated edition is known as the "Kurfürstenbibel" because of its portraits of the Electoral Princes (called "Kurfürsten" in German). Such a Bible was originally prepared for Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha and Altenburg, as a celebration of Martin Luther's Bible translation. The Endters, one of the prominent German printing families, issued several printings of it, beginning in 1641 and continuing to the end of the 18th century. In addition to portraits of Luther and the Protestant princes of Germany, it contains the maps, views, and illustrated half-titles by Jacob van Sandrart and others, first used in the edition of 1686. Although it bears some small signs of use, the binding remains an object of imposing beauty..