Together, these four works capture the remarkable breadth of Erasmuss influence, from his visionary humanist pedagogy to his forceful engagement in the theological controversies of the Reformation. Brought together in this volume, they reflect both the moral urgency and intellectual sharpness that defined his contribution to early modern thought.
Ad 1: First published in September 1529, De pueris statim ac liberaliter instituendis and De ratione instituendi discipulos represent Erasmus principal contribution to Renaissance pedagogy. He argues for the early and liberal education of children, stressing mildness rather than severity, moral formation alongside learning, and the formative power of classical texts. Ad 2: An exceptionally rare edition of a polemic against the Louvain theologian Petrus Curtius, in which Erasmus defends his humanist theology whilst ridiculing Curtius as "a fighter without an adversary". First issued by Froben and Episcopius earlier that year, with only that edition and the present Wechel edition extant; the text was not reprinted until the Opera omnia.
Ad 3: A spirited reply to the accusations of Alberto Pio, Prince of Carpi, coupled with sharp "extemporaneous notes" against Edward Lee ("Beda"). This double defence displays Erasmus wit and sharpness at the height of the Reformation debates. A very scarce edition; the editio princeps had appeared from Froben in March of the same year.
Ad 4: An early witness to the high demand in 1534. Erasmus rejoinder to Luthers "intemperate letter", written in the wake of De servo arbitrio. Here, Erasmus defends himself against charges of paganism, whilst censuring Luthers furious and mendacious tone. After 1534, the text was no longer issued separately.
With a manuscript owners inscription and a later purple stamp of the library of the Franciscan church and convent of Saint Clare in Kotor, Montenegro on the title page of the ad 1. Further with, a few manuscript annotations in the margins, and some of the text underlined and crossed out throughout the work. The binding shows signs of wear, the boards have been rubbed with some loss of material, some occasional slight browning. Otherwise in good condition. Ad 1: Adams 338; Inventaire chronologique des editions Parisiennes du XVIe siecle V, no. 144; USTC 185690 (1 copy); Vander Haeghen I, 164; not in BM STC German; Ad 2: Inventaire chronologique des editions Parisiennes du XVIe siecle IV, no. 1299; USTC 185562 (1 copy, lost); Vander Haeghen I, 174; WorldCat 492052585 (1 copy); cf. for the 1535 Froben edition see: Bezzel 1782; USTC 635442; VD16E3622; not in Adams; BM STC German; Ad 3: Adams 828; Inventaire chronologique des editions Parisiennes du XVIe siecle III, no. 1758; USTC 181160; not in Vander Haeghen; BM ST C German; Ad 4: Vander Haeghen I, 164; cf. Adams 809 (later edition); USTC 635432 (6 copies); VD 16, E 3481; not in BM STC German.