November 5, 2009
MAGNIFICENT AND VERY TALL COPY OF THE GREAT RENAISSANCE TOURNAMENT BOOK
PRINTED 1566: ROLL-TOLLED BLINDSTAMPED PIGSKIN WITH CLASPS
121 woodcut scenes of tournaments, including two double-page (repeat)
The Book:
Rüxner, Georg. Thurnier Buch; von Anfang, Vrsachen, Vrsprung vnd Herkommen der Thurnier im Heyligen Römischen Reich Teutscher Nation, wie viel offentlicher Landthurnier von Keyser Heinrich dem Ersten dieses Namens an biss auff den jetztregierenden Keyser Maximilian den Andern … vnd in welchen Stetten die alle gehalten … Alles jetzunder von neuwem zusammen getragen, mit schönen neuwen Figuren, sonderlich auch der adelischen Wappen, auffs schönest zugericht … Published: Franckfurt am Mayn, Getruckt [bey G. Raben in Verlegung S. Feyrabends vnd S. Hüters] 1566. Description: FOLIO. 311 x 200 mm, 3 parts in one volume, [6], ccxliii, [3], [4], lxxxi ℓ. : illus., coats of arms ; A number of the woodcuts are attributed to Jost Amman and signed “I.A.”; other woodcuts signed “H.B.” have been assigned to Hans Bocksperger, but this is doubrful/Contemporary pigskin over wooden boards, roll-tooled in blind, 2 brass fore-edge catches without clasps, remnants of gilt to blindstamped title, slight wear to head of spine and corners, some light browning, a few minor red highlights, some occasional staining and browning. Overall, a very fine COMPLETE copy. Brunet IV:1471; Adams R-877. Provenance: Henning von Bulow Goldenbow von Rodenwalde: bookplate dated 1916 [$12,000]
A MAGNIFICENT AND VERY TALL copy of one of the most important tournament books and certainly the most widely read. This is the third edition, but more importantly, the FIRST ILLUSTRATED BY JOST AMMAN. The new woodcuts are added along with much additional material contained in two further parts, each with its own title page. “The second part describes tournaments and games held at Vienna from 2 May to 24 June in an unspecified year in the 1560s, and part three describes the ceremonial entrance into Binche of Charles V and his sons on 22 August 1549.” (Ref: Christie’s). This edition contains a roster of all the competitors at that very famous Renaissance Tournament.
