These 14 important works by Erasmus - the edition of his most important letters after the Vita, edited by Petrus Scriverius (1576-1660), his famous Laus stultitiae, and 3 of his linguistic works in the first volume, and 9 theological works in volume 2 - belong to a project of the Leiden publisher, printer and bookseller Joannes Maire (1603-1657). This project, that can be seen as a series of editions that together represent Erasmus' collected works, ensured Maire's stellar reputation through the ages. 23 different works appeared between 1641 and 1652. It has long been thought that Petrus Scriverius was the editor, but now there is proof that in fact Willem Henricus Vorstius, a learned Remonstrant minister in the village of Warmond (near Leiden), did the job (Breugelmans, p. 24).
11 works were published in 1641 (5 of which in the present collection); 2 in 1642 (1 present), 3 in 1643 (2 present), 1 in 1644 (also present), 3 in 1645 (1 present), 1 in 1648 (also present), 1 in 1649 (also present), 1 in 1650 (also present), and 2 in 1652 (both present). The whole collection brings together a representative selection of Erasmus' spiritual, moral, and exegetical writings - as it includes treatises on Christian prayer and devotion, moral and ascetical reflections, expositions of the Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer, and commentaries on select psalms. It is presented together with Sriverius' edition of the Vita, a biography of Erasmus.
Printed in compact duodecimo format with Maires characteristic typographic elegance, these Leiden editions form one of the most coherent 17th-century series of Erasmus spiritual writings.
With a manuscript owner's inscription on the title pages of ads 1 and 6, a small manuscript inscription on the title page of ad 2, and a small manuscript inscription on the title pages of ads 3, 5, and 6-14. Further with two library stamps of the Nordelbische Kirchenbibliothek in Hamburg (incl. "Gelöscht" stamps) on the versos of the title pages of ads 1 and 6. The bindings are dust soiled and slightly damaged along the extremities, but the structural integrity of both bindings remains fine, slight foxing and browning throughout. Otherwise in good condition. Breugelmans, Fac et spera. Joannes Maire (2003), 1642:7 and other numbers; ads 2-6 and 10-14 in verzicht werken Erasmus (Rotterdam 1936); all works in the STCN and USTC; Van der Haeghen I, 182 and other numbers. A detailed list of references is available upon request.