Kromer, Martin. Mitnachtischer Völckeren Histories. Covered by H. Pantaleon. 2 parts in 1 volume. 6 Bl., CCCCVII, 4 Bl.; CCCCLVIII. With large woodcut coats of arms verso the title, and two double-leaf woodcut cards. 32 x 19,5 cm. Blindly embossed pigskin d. C. (some rubbed, stained and with small flaws) with hs. Title, mounted library sign d. Z., 8 brass fittings and 2 brass closures. Basel, Heinrich Petri and Peter Perna, 1562. VD 16, K 2430. Estrecker XX, 280. – The only German edition of De origine et rebus gesis Polonorum, the historical main work of Martin Kromer (1512-1589), Bishop of Ermland, diplomat and humanist writer. As a humanist poet and writer, as well as a translator and promoter of the Polish language, Kromer gained great importance in Polish literature and art history. Already during his studies in Krakow, he wrote several poems and published translations of ancient writings. In 1550-1551 he worked on a royal commission in the registry of the Crown Archives on Wawel in Krakow. Later he emerged through scholarly literary, musicological, theological and historical-political treatises. Kromer can be characterized as a representative of the so-called "Golden Age" of Poland, the reign of the last two Jagiellonian kings. He went into history as well as as important humanist writers and diplomats as a zealous pastoral bishop and advocate of counter-reformation or Catholic renewal. (Citation according to Biographical-Bibliographical Church Lexicon Volume IV (1992) Columns 681-686. – Purpose with several hs. Ownership notes, title with private library stamp "Bibl. Bernhard Vratisch (?)". Internal joint at the title slightly open, paper-related tanned, stick- and finger-spotty.