Sermones Parati de Tempore et de Sanctis

This is a rare (only copy in America), first edition of a collection of sermons in Latin created by the Roman Catholic Church in the 15th century. More than likely, it was to provide standard, timely, and spiritual homilies appropriate to be performed at mass throughout the church year. Library catalogs note “Parartus” as author; this individual's actual identity is yet to be determined. Printed in Strasbourg around 1485, this volume is a fine example of an incunable (a term denoting books printed before 1501) bound in red leather with gold-tooled covers and spine, raised bands, marbled endpapers, and gilded edges. The text, printed in Gothic script, is arranged in two 46 line columns uniformly throughout the book.