Works of Martin Luther – 1557 | First Wittenberg Edition, Augsburg Confession

Der Neundte Teil der Bucher is an exceedingly rare and valuable volume from the complete works of Martin Luther. Printed in 1557, this ninth volume is one of the most desirable of all the volumes of the set. It includes his commentary on Erasmus of Rotterdam’s writings to Lord Frederick of Saxony, his letter to the congregation in Halle, a letter to ope Adrian VI, and his propositions against Johann Tetzel. Most notably, however, it features the entirety of the Augsburg Confession and the interpretation of the bizarre “monk calf of Freiberg”: a grotesque creature with human and calf features used by both Melanchthon and Luther to criticize the Catholic Church.

Martin Luther is one of the most iconic and well-recognized figures of the Protestant Reformation. His theological teachings which rejected many of the Roman Catholic Church’s doctrines were polarizing in the development of Renaissance Protestantism. This volume is a prime example of his role in the Reformation and Protestant teachings.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Der Neundte Teil der Bucher des Ehrnwirdigen Herrn D. Martini Lutheri
• Author(s): Martin Luther
• Illustrator(s):
• Contributor(s): Philipp Melanchthon (Commentary)
• Publisher: Wittenberg, Hans Lufft
• Edition: First edition. 1557.
• Format: Folio (single volume)
• Binding: Full vellum, tooled boards
• Size:  13 in x 9 in (33 cm x 22.9 cm)
• Collation: [12], 558 leaves
• Illustrations: Title page vignette; woodcut engraving of monk-calf
• Contents Include:
  • Propositiones against Johann Tetzel
  • Letters to Pope Adrian VI and the Emperor
  • Erasmus commentary to Lord Frederick
  • Letter to Christians at Halle
  • Image and text on monk-calf of Freiberg
  • Augsburg Confession
  • Theological glosses for lectures
• Provenance: provenance
• Reference(s): VD16 L 6665

Condition:

Very Good. Full vellum binding with functioning clasp. Boards show wear and minor loss at corners. Spine and text block secure. Pages mostly clean with some age toning. Title page includes vignette; monk-calf woodcut intact.

Why Collect This?

• Early Wittenberg printing from Luther’s authorized press
• Includes rare epistles and polemical writings
• Noted for the inclusion of the monk-calf illustration
• Vellum folio for Reformation collectors

Item Number: # 29387