farfel_n03_039_150

Wenssler matriculated at the Univ. of Basel as early as
1462 but no date earlier than 1472 can be connected with his
press. A break semms to have corrurred in his activity
in 1483+4, but he was probably active in 1485 +
resumed the practice of signing his books in 1486.
The last books printed by him at Basel are those
dated 1 April 1491. (the 2nd printer at Basel)
-Monumental work on canon law by Nicolo de Tudeschi
who obtained the Sea of Palermo in 1435, whence his
name "Panrumitanus."
- b. Catenia, 1386; d. Palermo, 1445. He studied under Antonius
de Butrio + Franciscus Zabarella, + taught from 1412 in Bologna,
Parma, Sienna + Florence. He was hanned an auditor general of the
Camera Apostolica in 1421 + abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of
Santa Maria de Maniaco in 1425 (thus his title abbas Siculus,
abbas modernus). In 1434 he was nominated archbishop of Palermo
by King Alfonzo V of Aragon + Sicily + was confirmed in this are
in 1435 by Eugene IV (hence he is also called Panormitanus). *
d. by 1512 Wenssler - born in Strassburg. In 1472 together with Friedrich Biel he
began actively as a printer in that town + in a short time acquired
reputation + wealthy. In 1491 he was compelled to flee from Basel
leaving behind considerable debts. In the South of France + at last
in Lyon we find him working his way up by means of
his old art.
In 1477 Wenssler, Richel + Ruppel were all assoc. in the printing of
Super hbros Decretalium in 5 immense volumes. A copy of his book is noted
as having been presented by the printers in the list of donations to the works
Dept. of Basel Cathedral, an institution which was not infrequently the
recipient of Wenssler's generosity in king. By an unfortunate chance 2
ed. of the same work were issued in the sam year at Venice, one by
Jenson (H. 12819) the other by J. de Colonia + Manthan (H 12308) + the
Basel ed. was clearly unable to sustain such keen competition, thereby
involving its producers in very heavy losses.