(1487). VORAGINE (Jacques de). LEGENDA AUREA SANCTORUM, SIVE - Lot 16

(1487). VORAGINE (Jacques de). LEGENDA AUREA SANCTORUM, SIVE LOMBARDICA HISTORIA. Lyon, Mathias Huss, July 20, 1487. Small gothic folio of 212 (of 228) unencumbered leaves, soft vellum (contemporary binding). Lyon edition illustrated with 158 woodcuts (7x8 cm), some repeated, of one of the most famous texts of the medieval period. The Légende dorée, recounting the lives and martyrdoms of the first saints of the calendar, enjoyed immense popularity from the invention of the printing press; in the 15th century, there were almost 150 editions throughout Europe. Printed on 2 columns by Mathias Huss, type founder and printer, one of the first in Lyon. Numerous redactions and amputations of text replaced by handwritten copies of the period, and various defects. Worm damage throughout, copy in poor condition. (ISTC, ij00118000).