so precious a foundation: the Library of Leander Van Ess at the Burke Library of Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York

ISBN 0910672172, 386 pages, $50.00

Order Catalogue
In 1838 the New-York Theological Seminary (soon to be renamed Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York) bought the library of the German priest, scholar and biblical translator, Leander va Ess (1772-1847). Estimated at nearly 14,000 items, it was a veritable cornucopia of theological literature: 37 manuscripts, over 500 incunabula, Bibles in many languages and versions, and works on the major subjects of theology (church history, canon law, pastoralia, liturgics, etc.) The sixteenth-century imprints may be the richest section of the library, and the collection is remarkable for its holdings in the writings of the Reformers, especially if one recalls that it was put together by a Roman Catholic priest. This exhibition of books from Leander van Ess's library comes from the Bur Library at Union Theological Seminary. It was conceived and prepared by the director, Milton McC. Gatch.