In original decorated calf

Martin Luther (1483-1546).

Tomus tertius omnium operum reverendi viri, domini Martini Lutheri Doctoris Theologiae, Continens enarrationes Deuteronomij, Ultimorum uerborum Davidis, multorum Psalmorum pias, luculentas, & uaalde utiles. Catalogum singularum partium inuenies post praefationem.

Wittenberg, Imprimebat Iohannes Crato [Johann Krafft], 1553.

Folio (33 x 22,5 x 9 cm). [6], 599 ll. With title in woodcut frame by or after Lucas Cranach, and several woodcut initials.

Contemporary calf dated 1555.

Second edition of the third volume of Martin Luther's collected works, the first edition with a foreword and letter by Philipp Melanchthon and the gorgeous title illustration by Lucas Cranach. This copy is in an elaborate iconographically blind-rolled leather binding. The rolled motifs are dated 1540, and the binding is blind-tooled and dated 1555: two years or less after the book was printed.

Cranach’s woodcut shows, in the lower part, the Crucifixion with Luther and the Elector Johann Friedrich kneeling on either side; in the upper and side parts, the symbols of the four evangelists, angel heads, and clouds. The rolls on the binding show, among others, Petrus, Salvator, Paulus, Gosumpas, Cap Cruse, Sur et Vale, Idolatria, H. Isaac, Scala Jacob, Pro Legis (Moses), and a roll of classical medallion portraits.

Printer Kraff was assigned to the printing of most of Melanchthon's writings before anyone else. Kraff’s work is characterized by clean, large, and splendid letters and exceptionally clean paper, as is the case in the copy we offer here.

Condition: binding rubbed and slightly damaged in places, lacks clasps. Occasional faded marginal stain. Otherwise in very good, crisp condition.

Provenance: Ludwig Rosenthal’s Antiquariaat to Frau Ruth Eichhorn, Wiesloch, 1984.

Reference: VD 16 L3419.