[LEGATURA - MAGNIFICA BIBBIA ILLUSTRATA] - Biblia, das ist: die gantze Heilige Schrifft Altes und Neues Testaments. Verteutscht von Herrn Doctor Martin Luther. Nuremberg: eredi di J.A. Endter, 1736.   A magnificent and unique copy of this extraordinary Bible called “Kurfűrštenbibel”. An extraordinary example preserved in a superb binding, extra-illustrated and with important provenance.   The name of the Bible comes from the electors of Saxony who initiated its publication and whose portraits are printed at the beginning of the text. Engraved at endpaper is an ex-libris with the coat of arms of Cardinal Luigi Valenti Gonzaga. The splendid calfskin binding over wooden boards is practically identical to one created by the Stockholm binder Casper Christian Lind dated 1726 (Hedberg, Stockholm Bokbindare 1460-1880, vol. II plate 15) and to that of Gustav Gustafsson Nybohm (Hedberg vol.I , plate 99.). The first owner, also responsible for the binding, also enriched the iconographic aspect by inserting as many as 60 engraved plates containing 180 illustration of biblical scenes created by Georg David Nessenthaler (1695-1736). The same images had already been published in Tübingen by Johann Georg and Christian Gottfried Cotta in 1730 in support of one of his Bibles published that year; following their considerable success they were then re-proposed as a collection of prints in 1751 by Conrad Mantz in Zurich. The 180 Baroque-style engravings are accompanied by as many verses from the Bible and the title of the subject; they are written in Latin, French and German and, upon their interleaving with the text of the Bible, they were inserted, correctly, where the text was related to the image so that the numbering is not consequential.   Of particular importance, in addition to the 4 large geographical maps, is the depiction of the Temple which probably appeared here for the first time. It is a foundational Bible for the Reformed religion. See Strohm Deutsche bibeldrucke E 1321; Darlow/Moule 4234.   Elephant folio (437 x 284mm). Engraved allegorical frontispiece, 2 plates with engraved portraits, 11 full-page portraits representing the electors of Saxony, 32 woodcut pages of which 4 are double-page, 4 double-page geographical maps, extra-illustrated with 60 numbered plates applied on paper containing over 200 illustrated sketches of the Bible engraved and drawn by J.J. Sandrart and/or inspired by him, elaborate vignettes and woodcut initials (some browning and foxing, slight dampstaining at the lower margin of the final leaves).   Splendid calf over wooden boards, covers withing a rectangular border and richly decorated, spine with 7 raised bands with the title "Bible" and a rich floral decoration, gilt edges finely decorated in blindstamp, elegant marbled endpapers; excellent state of conservation (minimal rubbing, small and skilful restoration to spine ends, without metalclasps and ties). Provenance: Luigi Valenti Gonzaga (1725-1808; bookplate with the coat of arms of Valenti as Cardinal and Archbishop of Cesarea attached to the Maltese Cross of which he was Commander, with the motto: “Sic propris otiis consulti”; dated 1790 with the numbers "90" written in ink. Bookplate published by Gelli under No. 1080 with a long note) - Robertus LaHalst? (ownership inscription on title dated 2/20/1952).

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