Description
GENESIS 11:9-13:3. “God’s Promise to Abraham”. Biblia, 1541. German. Martin Luther, trans. Printed in Wittemberg by Hans Lufft. Woodcut by the Cranach Workshop (unattributed).
The first complete revision of Luther’s 1534 Bible (editio princeps), coming midway between the first and the last in Luther’s lifetime (d. 1546), the final such revision coming in 1545. Hence the term “Median Bible” for this edition, a mid-size folio. Standard Reference: VD16. One (1) large Picture-WOODCUT, 5.8″ x 4.2″. Two (2) woodcut initials, 6 and 7 lines high, one inhabited. Leaf-size: 12.2″ x 8.0″, w. professionally repaired margins. FINE- condition; moderate stains throughout (see pics) and otherwise fine example of a very early Luther Bible leaf, with a critically important leaf from Genesis. The front side woodcut, recto, depicts Abraham’s early dwelling in Haram, a stopping point of Abram’s family between Ur and Canaan (11:31). The theological crux of the leaf, however, is at 12:3 where God first promises Abram that through him all the families of the earth will be blessed. This promise, fulfilled in Christ, is the central promise by which God’s mercy in Jesus extends to Gentiles as well as to Jews.
COA on premium “gold leaf” paper w. gold seal. Leaf and COA set in a large Bifold Portfolio.
