Martin Luther (1483-1546), Bible in German. Printed at Leyden, by Ben Jacob Marci, in two parts: (1) 1535 (New Testament, indexes, morning and evening prayers in German, ‘for every day of the week’, ‘Spiritual songs and Psalms’, Catechism) and (2) 1536 (Old Testament).

Luther’s German Bible was wildly popular even within his own lifetime, as this early imprint shows.  Unusually, it retains a contemporary, presumably original binding of blind-stamped pigskin.  Despite its German text, the book must have come into England early on, for on its title page 16th-century owners, Robert and Henry Davidson, have written their names.

Cent College Rare BS 239 1536. From the Library of Christ College.

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