• PSALTERIUM. [Mainz]: Johann Fust & Peter Schoeffer, 14 August 1457

Collections:
  • Incunabula at Princeton
  • In Principio
  • Collections Donated to Princeton University Library
  • F & S grouping
  • The Scheide Library
  • Treasures of Rare Book Division
Curatorial Note:
  • Fust and Schoeffer’s first publication, presenting the psalms in liturgical order plus traditional canticles, was the first European book to provide the names of its printers and date of production. It introduced two impressive square gothic typefaces – the larger for the psalms, the smaller for hymns – and ornamental red and blue initials, all printed simultaneously in perfect register. Spaces were left for musical notation to be added by hand. Fust and Schoeffer’s typographic innovations were a technical triumph. The edition was sold in two forms: a 175-leaf issue for use in the archdiocese of Mainz and a 143-leaf issue for general monastic use. Ten copies survive, all printed on vellum. Discovered at the Church of St. Victor in Mainz in 1789, this is the only copy in America.
Bookseller:
  • H.P. Kraus (Firm)
  • Maggs Bros
Author:
  • Catholic Church
Uniform title:
  • Psalter (Mainz psalter)
Provenance:
  • WHS copy formerly owned by Augustinians (St. Victor), Mainz; Church of St. John, Mainz; Franz Bodmann; and Bibliothèque nationale; acquired 15 September 1971 from H. P. Kraus. Besides this copy, WHS has fragment described in following note.
  • WHS fragment, half of leaf 72 and all of leaf 79 (36.3 x 28.3 cm.) formerly owned by Wieynck (Dresden); acquired 11/8/33 from Maggs.
Former owner:
  • Bodmann, Franz
  • St. Johannes Evangelist (Church : Mainz, Germany)
  • Bibliothèque nationale (France)
  • Wieynck, Heinrich, 1874-1931
Creator:
  • Catholic Church
Language:
  • Latin
Call number:
  • 53.1
  • 113.7
Extent:
  • 143 leaves ; 33.1 x 25.3 cm. (fol.)
Format:
  • Book
Description:
  • Commonly known in English as Mainz Psalter.
  • Title proper from Goff.
  • WHS copy is imperfect: leaf 143 is supplied in facsimile.
Publisher:
  • [Mainz] : Johann Fust & Peter Schoeffer, [14 Aug. 1457].
Title sort:
  • Psalterium cum canticis et hymnis.
Alternative:
  • Mainz Psalter.
References:
  • Stillwell P946.
  • Goff P-1036.
  • H 13479.
  • DeRicci (M) 54.5.
  • BMC I 18 (IB.72).
Printer:
  • Fust, Johannes, 1400-1466
  • Schöffer, Peter, approximately 1425-approximately 1502
Created:
  • 1457-01-01T00:00:00Z
Date:
  • 1457
Identifier:
  • ark:/88435/r207tt40m
Location:
  • WHS 53.1
  • WHS 113.7
Edm rights:
  • No Known Copyright
Range label:
  • Logical
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