This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/25/2024
[MEDIEVAL HUMOR BOOK]. [GAST, Johannes (ca. 1500-1552), compiler]. Convivalium Sermonum Liber, Utilibus AC IV cundis histories & sententiis… Basel: Bartholomeus Westheimer, August 1543. Small 8vo. Woodcut printer’s device on verso of final leaf. [A8-x8] fols. Approximately 5 ¾ x 3 ½”. Bound in 16th or 17th century vellum over boards with yapp edges, rebacked in later vellum with later ink titles (binding with some wear, soiling, spine with tears, some wear, marginal tears, chips to text, text toned, lightly dampstained throughout). Very good. THIRD EDITION. Rare joke collection compiled by Swiss theologian Gast, who had edited some of Erasmus’ writings. This work “mixes ancient sayings and jests, including those of fools, all under commonplaces, in a way that is meant to be simultaneously comic (jocis), useful (utilibus) and serious (seriis)...” (H. Roberts, Dog’s tales, 2006, p. 69).