Sherborne School’s earliest printed book, and its only item of incunabula (i.e. printed using metal type before 1501), is a commentary on the four gospels by Saint Thomas Aquinas.
Opus aureum sancti Thome de Aquino super quatuor evangelia was published in Venice on 4 June 1493 by Octavianus Scotus [Ottaviano Scotto, d.1498] and printed in folio by Bonetus Locatellus [Boneo Locatelli, fl.1486-1523].
The text is printed in double columns of 66 lines to a column and bound in contemporary blind-stamped calf over wooden boards, with 20th century repairs.
Very little is known about the provenance of the volume. It was suggested that the volume may have come from the monastic library of Sherborne Abbey but it is now believed to have been acquired by Sherborne School in the 20th century. An inscription on the title page indicates that on 30 November 1685 the volume formed part of the library of Robert Ames. Other names written in the volume include Rychardus Wyke [Richard Wyke] and Johannes Palmer [John Palmer].
The text is annotated throughout with underlining and marginalia. At the back of the volume is what appears to be a handwritten devotional prayer to Saint Barbara. The binding includes uncut octavo printed pages with red initials that may form part of a breviary or a prayer book.
See also:
Historic Library & Rare Book Collection
