farfel_n01_123_055

55
S.F. Book Fair
Charles W. Traylen
Sept. '76 $5.00

Reuchlin, Johannes (1455 4 - d. 1522) of Pforzheim
Vocabularius breviloqurus, + C.
1478, Basel: [Johann Amerbach] (1478+1513) f0 (chancery) 1st ed.
Goff R-155 BMC III p. 745 C. 6285 Latin
Cop HEHL, New York PL (rare book div) g1
330 leaves, the last blank. 2 columns, except on i5
5a: 54 lines, 229x133mm
Types 185, first lines + headings in the Vocabularius;
gothic - 85 text; 95a Greek, words on 2a
Capital spaces, with guide letters. 1st edition.

J. Amerbach - 1st book signed by this printer is the collection of tracts
by V. of Besuvais dated 13 Dec 1481. He appears to have
learnt his craft in Venice. Amerbach was at various times
in partnership with Jacob von Pforzheim, Johan Petri, +
Johann Froben; he had close business relations with Koberger
who acted as his publisher, + with Rusch at Strassburg, to
whom he appears to have lent type. Amerbach continued
to print into the 16th C. + died on Christmas Day, 1513.
In the middle of the 15th C Basel was a town with about 15,000 inhabitants.

Reuchlin - was at one time connector for the press of Amerbach.
[inserted] Reuchlin was attacked by the coverted Jew
Pfofferkorn who wanted all Hebrew books burnt. For opposing this Reuchlin was accused
of heresy by the Dominicans of Cologne. He defended himself by publishing in 1534 a series of
letters in his support from numerous famous scholars (Clarorum virorum epistolae) [end inserted]
- was one of the leaders of German humanism + he is especially
remarkable for introducing the study of Hebrew + Greek into Western
Europe. He was the 1st scholar to introduce Hebrew into the
curiculum of the university. He became professor at Ingolstacht +
Tusoingen + among his pupils were Melanchthon, Oecolampadius
+ many other famous humanists.

- Pico's (the prince of Mirandola) most celebrated pupil + the greatest
Christian Hebreist of his generation was J. Reuchlin.
- published the first Christian - Hebrew grammar in 1506.
- J. Reuchlin - one of the greatest scholars of the 15th C. Reuchlin was
a jurist, classicist + herbraist. On the eve of the Reformation
attacks on his tolerant humanism led to a satirical reply,
his famous Epistolae Obscurorum Virorum.