Notationes in totam Scripturam Sacram – de Sa – 1598 | Plantin | Bamberg Witch Trials Provenance

Notationes in totam Scripturam Sacram by Manuel de Sa, first printed in Antwerp in 1598 by Ioannes Moretus at the Plantin Press, presents brief commentary on difficult passages of the Bible with variant readings from Hebrew, Chaldean, and Greek sources. Manuel de Sa, a Portuguese Jesuit of the late 16th century, was known for his biblical scholarship and homiletic work. This quarto Latin edition is in contemporary vellum with tooled boards and retains one functioning clasp.

This copy belonged to Friedrich Forner (1568–1630), auxiliary bishop and vicar general of Bamberg Cathedral. Forner was a central ecclesiastical figure during the Bamberg Witch Trials in early 17th-century Germany. His involvement in diocesan governance during this notorious period makes this a notable example of association provenance.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Notationes in totam Scripturam Sacram: quibus omnia fere loca difficilia breuissime explicantur tum variæ ex Hebræo, Chaldæo & Græco lectiones indicantur
• Author(s): Manuel de Sa
• Publisher: Antverpiae, ex officina plantiniana, apud Ioannem Moretum
• Edition: 1598. First edition
• Format: (4to), single volume
• Binding: Vellum, tooled boards
• Size:  10.5 in x 7.5 in (26.7 cm x 19 cm)
• Collation: [8], 547, [5]
• Illustrations:
• Contents Include:
  • Commentary on Old and New Testament passages
  • Variant readings in Hebrew, Chaldean, and Greek
  • Brief notes on difficult scriptural sections
• Provenance: belonged to Friedrich Forner (1568-1630) auxiliary bishop and vicar general of Bamberg Cathedral in Germany.
  • Was owned by Forner during the infamous Bamberg Witch trials
• Reference(s): USTC 407048; Adams S 5

Condition:

Bound in vellum with tooled boards, secure and tight. Retains one working clasp. Boards show minor handling wear. Pages display light age toning, otherwise clean.

Why Collect This?

• Printed at the Plantin Press under Ioannes Moretus
• Association copy linked to Friedrich Forner, a key figure in the Bamberg Witch Trials
• Example of late Renaissance Jesuit biblical commentary

Item Number: #29181