1555 Opus Thomae Campegii (Tommaso Campeggio), and 1554 De Coelibatu. Venice.

The 1555, Opus (Works), of Tommaso Campeggi, with the 1554 De Coelibatu Sacerdotum Non Abrogando bound behind it. Although the binding is largely expired, it's fun because it allows you to see the manuscript fragments that were used as the crash (connection between the spine and the binding's boards).

About Campeggi -

Campeggi was an early 16th century Catholic Bishop who played a role in the religious questions of the period. Martin Luther, on August 26, 1530, calls him a "devil", stating:

"... you would believe that Campegius is a perfect devil. I have been much upset through our opponents’ propositions. As sure as I live this is a trick of Campegius and the Pope, who first tried by threats to ruin our cause, and now by artifice. You have resisted force and withstood the Emperor’s imposing entry into Augsburg! And now you must put up with the tricks of those cowled monks..."

Ten years later the Pope selected Campeggi as his representative to the Colloquy of Worms, in 1540. There Campeggi's own followers complained that he was ineffective in negotiating with the Protestants, although by their accounts all that was needed was a declaration that Catholicism was right and the Protestants wrong (see The History of the Popes volume 11, p.405, by von Pastor).

Luther barely mentions Campeggi in 1540, simply stating that the Pope appointed the Bishop of Valitra as his legate, "whom our people with neither acknowledge as judge, nor as president, ever were the Pope himself present...".

Campeggi was a Papal advisor at the Council of Trent, but missed the last council and died just shortly after.


About the Works -

The Aldine work is regarding the authority of the Pope, and other theological points regarding the Catholic church. The older 1554 work, bound behind, defends ecclesiastical celibacy.

Bibliographic Details -

Universal Short Title Catalogue (USTC) numbers 818240 (De Coelibatu) and 818241 (Opus). Not rare, found in many of the best libraries.

Aldine and Speranza printer's marks both represented. The Zan della Speranza printer's mark is attractive with Venice (personified) standing over the city, and plays on Speranza (Italian=hope) with the Latin "Venice, at the sign of hope". And the Aldine printer's mark is the mark which all others are judged against.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 15.5 x 10.5 x 4 cm. Limp vellum binding with Yapp edges. Title in manuscript on bottom edge of text block. Also, some remnants of manuscript title on spine.

Pages - [12], 223, [1], [56]

Collation - *12, A-Z8, a-e8 (e8 blank). *8, A-F8

Condition -

See pictures. Vellum binding with large holes; someone tacked it together with tissue tape. "1555" written on front cover with a red pen. Pastedown at rear not connected, allowing you to see the manuscript crash (strengthening of the spine). Bookplate remnants on front pastedown. Shelf number erased from flyleaf.

Moisture mark from 1st leaf to 60th. Else, very clean text block; possibly washed. Some toning, occasional thumb, rust spot, page edge tear, etc. Title page with ownership inscription at bottom edge. Nice wide margins. In the middle, another intrusion mark from the top edge, mostly marginal but in some places does go into text.