About the item: An authentic Latin edition of the second part (Pars II) of the fourth edition of the work "Concionis Tergeminae" (Triple Sermons) by Jesuit priest and preacher Philipp Hartung, published in 1700 in Cologne (Colonia Agrippina) by the heirs of Johann Widenfelt (Haeredes Joannis Widenfelt). This monumental Baroque volume covers sermons for the period from Pentecost to Advent (A Pentecoste ad Adventum) and was intended for clergy as a practical guide to homiletics. The book retains its authentic full leather binding and an old handwritten spine label, testifying to its long history of use. Due to its theological, historical, and bibliophilic significance, this publication is a valuable example of European sacred printing at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Technical Information: The physical dimensions of the book are 20 × 15.5 cm. The place of origin is Cologne (Colonia Agrippina), Holy Roman Empire. The publication year is 1700 (Anno M.DCC.), and the publisher is "Sumptibus Haeredum Joannis Widenfelt". This volume represents the fourth edition (Editio quarta), categorized under religion, Catholic theology, and homiletics. The language of the work is Latin. The book is bound in an authentic period full leather hard binding. The volume consists of 8 preliminary leaves, 666 numbered pages, and 7 index leaves at the end. The condition of the item is evaluated as good – the cover shows natural signs of wear, the leather is rubbed in places, the inner pages are uniformly browned with occasional spotting and minor old dampstaining along the margins, but the book remains completely intact and firm.
Artistic and Structural Analysis: The publication is characterized by a restrained yet representative late Baroque book aesthetic. The authentic leather binding with raised bands on the spine and the surviving handwritten paper label perfectly reflect period library practices. The title page is composed in classic 17th–18th century typography, clearly indicating the author's membership in the Society of Jesus (e Societate Jesu) and the imperial printing privilege (Cum Privilegio S. C. Majestatis). The structure of the book remains complete – it consists of preliminary leaves, the main text, and comprehensive indexes. The natural paper patina, occasional stains, and traces of time testify to the more than three-century-long history of this specific copy.
Historical and Geographical Context: Philipp Hartung was a prominent 17th-century Jesuit preacher whose homiletic works were widely used and valued throughout Catholic Europe. "Concionis Tergeminae" stands out for its original concept – the same evangelical readings are presented in three different sermon variants tailored to rural communities (Rusticae), townspeople (Civicae), and the court environment (Aulicae). This structure allowed clergy to effectively adapt sermons to different audiences and became a significant example of Baroque homiletics. At the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, Cologne was one of the most important centers of Catholic publishing in the Holy Roman Empire, and the Widenfelt publishing house was renowned for high-quality theological and liturgical publications.
Collectible and Investment Significance: The value of this publication in the bibliophilic market is determined by several important factors. First and foremost is its age and authenticity: a book published in 1700 with an original leather binding is a rare surviving example of early modern European printing. No less important is its complete integrity – the survival of the entire text, indexes, and authentic binding fully satisfies the strict evaluation criteria of collectors. The publication is also significant as a source for the history of Jesuit pedagogy and Catholic homiletics, reflecting the estate structure of society at that time and the pastoral practice of the Church. Due to its representative appearance, solid volume, and historical importance, this book will perfectly complement a collection of old religious publications, a private library, or a museum collection. This volume, over 320 years old, is an authentic witness to European religious thought and printing history, harmoniously combining the Jesuit intellectual tradition, Baroque bookbinding craftsmanship, and long-term collectible value.
