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Summary: Early sermon of Luther's on preparing for death. One of twenty-two German printings to appear in six years.

Summary: Early sermon of Luther's on preparing for death. One of twenty-two German printings to appear in six years.

Summary: Fourth edition of the "Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation," one of Luther's most important pamphlets, in which he develops some of the central ideas of his theology, including the principle of universal priesthood. He also discusses the possibility of a German national church.

Summary: Fourth edition of the "Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation," one of Luther's most important pamphlets, in which he develops some of the central ideas of his theology, including the principle of universal priesthood. He also discusses the possibility of a German national church.

Summary: First printing of the first edition of Hutten's edition of the papal bull Exsurge Domine, which condemns as heretical 41 statements by Martin Luther and offers Luther 60 days to recant. Hutten issued the bull with the papal coat of arms on the title page, and offers his own glosses, introduction, and call to Leo to keep his bulls to himself, and not to bother the German Protestants any longer.

Summary: First printing of the first edition of Hutten's edition of the papal bull Exsurge Domine, which condemns as heretical 41 statements by Martin Luther and offers Luther 60 days to recant. Hutten issued the bull with the papal coat of arms on the title page, and offers his own glosses, introduction, and call to Leo to keep his bulls to himself, and not to bother the German Protestants any longer.

A woodcut depicting the coat of arm sof Johann "the Constant" (or "Steadfast"), Elector of Saxony, who was a supporter of Luther and his movement. The coat of arms features a pair of crossed swords at the center, surrounded by ten fields with varying iconography, including lions, eagles, and a rose. Three helmets with different crests sit above the coat of arms and the entire composition is surrounded by a host of cherubs and a pair of trees.

A woodcut depicting the coat of arm sof Johann "the Constant" (or "Steadfast"), Elector of Saxony, who was a supporter of Luther and his movement. The coat of arms features a pair of crossed swords at the center, surrounded by ten fields with varying iconography, including lions, eagles, and a rose. Three helmets with different crests sit above the coat of arms and the entire composition is surrounded by a host of cherubs and a pair of trees.

Summary: Early book on the Ten Commandments and the Seven Deadly Sins by Martin Luther. Originally written in Latin, it is here translated into German by Sebastian Münster, a young Franciscan teacher/scholar, soon to become famous as one of the great Christian Hebraists of his time. This is the first printing of the German translation.

Summary: Early book on the Ten Commandments and the Seven Deadly Sins by Martin Luther. Originally written in Latin, it is here translated into German by Sebastian Münster, a young Franciscan teacher/scholar, soon to become famous as one of the great Christian Hebraists of his time. This is the first printing of the German translation.

Summary: The first of five printings in 1520 of an answer to an attack on Luther issued under the seal and authority of Albert, Archbishop of Mainz.

Summary: The first of five printings in 1520 of an answer to an attack on Luther issued under the seal and authority of Albert, Archbishop of Mainz.

Summary: Despite his lack of success in appealing to the Pope for an Ecumenical Council in 1518, Luther repeats his call in this pamphlet, combining it with a special appeal to the emperor and to the German princes. This is the first printing of this work, produced outside the city of Wittenberg.

Summary: Despite his lack of success in appealing to the Pope for an Ecumenical Council in 1518, Luther repeats his call in this pamphlet, combining it with a special appeal to the emperor and to the German princes. This is the first printing of this work, produced outside the city of Wittenberg.

Summary: A letter by Luther to Pope Leo X. Leo had issued his famous bull 'Exsurge Domine' on June 15 1520, demanding that Luther recant his teachings of face excommunication. Luther responded with this letter in September, seeking to explain his position, calling for the church to reform, while emphasizing that his critiques have been directed against abuses within the church, not against the person or office of the pope.

Summary: A letter by Luther to Pope Leo X. Leo had issued his famous bull 'Exsurge Domine' on June 15 1520, demanding that Luther recant his teachings of face excommunication. Luther responded with this letter in September, seeking to explain his position, calling for the church to reform, while emphasizing that his critiques have been directed against abuses within the church, not against the person or office of the pope.

Summary: Second Wittenberg (and first 1520) printing of a sermon by Luther on the Sacrament of Baptism.

Summary: Second Wittenberg (and first 1520) printing of a sermon by Luther on the Sacrament of Baptism.

A historiated woodcut border of the title page of Condemnatio Doctrinalis libror[um] Martini Lutheri featuring floral decorations, cherubs, fruits, cornucopias, baskets, and greenmen.

A historiated woodcut border of the title page of Condemnatio Doctrinalis libror[um] Martini Lutheri featuring floral decorations, cherubs, fruits, cornucopias, baskets, and greenmen.

The title page of Desiderius Erasmus' Io Frobenius studiorum liberalium mystis, s.d : Quo sæpius hoc opus uobis redit, optimi Iuuenes, hoc debet esse gratius. Redit enim subinde, cum emendatis, tum locupletius. Qui nouam æditionem emunt, lucrum faciunt, qui ueteribus contenti sunt, certe nihil faciũt damni. In hac non ita multum accessit paginarum, sed rerum nõ pœnitendum auctarium, valete, & nostræ fauete industriae. ...

The title page of Desiderius Erasmus' Io Frobenius studiorum liberalium mystis, s.d : Quo sæpius hoc opus uobis redit, optimi Iuuenes, hoc debet esse gratius. Redit enim subinde, cum emendatis, tum locupletius. Qui nouam æditionem emunt, lucrum faciunt, qui ueteribus contenti sunt, certe nihil faciũt damni. In hac non ita multum accessit paginarum, sed rerum nõ pœnitendum auctarium, valete, & nostræ fauete industriae. ...

A woodcut border on the title page of Luther's De captivitate babylonica ecclesiae printed in 1520. The border is comprised of a single woodcut. At the bottom, there is a crest with the Brazen Serpent coiled around a cross with two men pulling it from either side. On the sides, there are two plinths, cherubs, and riders atop a pair of centaur-like figures. At the top, there is another crest featuring two towers and a striped shield.

A woodcut border on the title page of Luther's De captivitate babylonica ecclesiae printed in 1520. The border is comprised of a single woodcut. At the bottom, there is a crest with the Brazen Serpent coiled around a cross with two men pulling it from either side. On the sides, there are two plinths, cherubs, and riders atop a pair of centaur-like figures. At the top, there is another crest featuring two towers and a striped shield.

A woodcut portrait of Martin Luther dressed in the traditional garb of an Augustinian monk and holding a book, likely a Bible. This woodcut appears on the title page of the German translation of Luther's work De captivitate Babylonica ecclesiae praeludium.

A woodcut portrait of Martin Luther dressed in the traditional garb of an Augustinian monk and holding a book, likely a Bible. This woodcut appears on the title page of the German translation of Luther's work De captivitate Babylonica ecclesiae praeludium.

A woodcut portrait of Martin Luther dressed in the traditional garb of an Augustinian monk and holding a book, likely a Bible. This woodcut appears on the title page of Luther's work De captivitate Babylonica ecclesiae praeludium.

A woodcut portrait of Martin Luther dressed in the traditional garb of an Augustinian monk and holding a book, likely a Bible. This woodcut appears on the title page of Luther's work De captivitate Babylonica ecclesiae praeludium.

A woodcut depicting Martin Luther in the garb of an Augustinian Monk. Below Luther is a traditional Luther rose. Surrounding the portrait is an inscription, mirrored as the image was printed in reverse, reading "DOCTOR MARTINUS LUTTER AUGUSTINER: WITTENB:". This is purported to be the earliest depiction of Luther.

A woodcut depicting Martin Luther in the garb of an Augustinian Monk. Below Luther is a traditional Luther rose. Surrounding the portrait is an inscription, mirrored as the image was printed in reverse, reading "DOCTOR MARTINUS LUTTER AUGUSTINER: WITTENB:". This is purported to be the earliest depiction of Luther.

The title page of a printed version of the papal bull against Martin Luther featuring the papal arms of Leo X which incorporates the Medici family crest.

The title page of a printed version of the papal bull against Martin Luther featuring the papal arms of Leo X which incorporates the Medici family crest.

A woodcut of Pope Leo X's coat of arms, appearing on the title page of the official papal bull excommunicating Martin Luther. The coat of arms features the crossed keys to the kingdom of Heaven and the Papal crown, the traditional symbols of the Papacy, and the coat of arms of the Medici family, to which Pope Leo X belonged.

A woodcut of Pope Leo X's coat of arms, appearing on the title page of the official papal bull excommunicating Martin Luther. The coat of arms features the crossed keys to the kingdom of Heaven and the Papal crown, the traditional symbols of the Papacy, and the coat of arms of the Medici family, to which Pope Leo X belonged.

A woodcut of Johann Schott's printer's device, depicting a pair of dogs fighting, each biting the other's back and the initials "RSM". This version includes additional rubrication to highlight the points where each dog is biting.

A woodcut of Johann Schott's printer's device, depicting a pair of dogs fighting, each biting the other's back and the initials "RSM". This version includes additional rubrication to highlight the points where each dog is biting.

A woodcut of Johann Schott's printer's device, depicting a pair of dogs fighting, each biting the other's back and the initials "RSM".

A woodcut of Johann Schott's printer's device, depicting a pair of dogs fighting, each biting the other's back and the initials "RSM".

A woodcut depicting two men gambling in the foreground as Christ is crucified and stabbed in the background.

A woodcut depicting two men gambling in the foreground as Christ is crucified and stabbed in the background.

A woodcut depicting a trial with a judge, a woman kneeling (the accused), and a man delivering a (presumably false) witness statement, representing a violation of the Eighth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."

A woodcut depicting a trial with a judge, a woman kneeling (the accused), and a man delivering a (presumably false) witness statement, representing a violation of the Eighth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."

A woodcut depicting a man murdering two individuals with an axe, thereby representing a violation of the Fifth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not murder."

A woodcut depicting a man murdering two individuals with an axe, thereby representing a violation of the Fifth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not murder."

A woodcut depicting a violation of and proper following of the First Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt have no other god before me." On the right, a group of worshipers gather around the crucified Christ thereby following the First Commandment. In contrast, on the left, a group worships an "idol" in the form of a horned figure on a pedestal.

A woodcut depicting a violation of and proper following of the First Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt have no other god before me." On the right, a group of worshipers gather around the crucified Christ thereby following the First Commandment. In contrast, on the left, a group worships an "idol" in the form of a horned figure on a pedestal.

A woodcut depicting a son and daughter washing the feet of their mother and father respectively, thereby representing the Fourth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Honor thy father and thy mother."

A woodcut depicting a son and daughter washing the feet of their mother and father respectively, thereby representing the Fourth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Honor thy father and thy mother."

A pair of woodcuts depicting a man kneeling beside a woman (left) and a two men in a building while a third sits at a table possibly counting money or grain (right), representing the Ninth and Tenth Commandments (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, or his slaves, or his animals, or anything of thy neighbor."

A pair of woodcuts depicting a man kneeling beside a woman (left) and a two men in a building while a third sits at a table possibly counting money or grain (right), representing the Ninth and Tenth Commandments (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, or his slaves, or his animals, or anything of thy neighbor."

A woodcut depicting a man stealing from another's purse as the victim carries on a conversation, representing a violation of the Seventh Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not steal."

A woodcut depicting a man stealing from another's purse as the victim carries on a conversation, representing a violation of the Seventh Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not steal."

A woodcut depicting a man and woman in bed together, thereby representing a violation of the Sixth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not commit adultry."

A woodcut depicting a man and woman in bed together, thereby representing a violation of the Sixth Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Thou shalt not commit adultry."

A woodcut depicting Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God (upper right) as the the people of Israel worship the Golden Calf (lower left). On the right, Mount Sinai and Mount Horeb are labeled, as well as the figures of Moses and Joshua.

A woodcut depicting Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from God (upper right) as the the people of Israel worship the Golden Calf (lower left). On the right, Mount Sinai and Mount Horeb are labeled, as well as the figures of Moses and Joshua.

A woodcut depicting a congregation gathered around a crucified Christ to hear the preaching of the Christian faith, thereby representing the Third Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

A woodcut depicting a congregation gathered around a crucified Christ to hear the preaching of the Christian faith, thereby representing the Third Commandment (in the Lutheran tradition), "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

Summary: Only printing of a pamphlet by Karlstadt attacking Johann Eck on issues that emerged during their disputation at Leipzig 1519, in particular the interpretation of scripture and the question of free will and its relation to the grace of God.

Summary: Only printing of a pamphlet by Karlstadt attacking Johann Eck on issues that emerged during their disputation at Leipzig 1519, in particular the interpretation of scripture and the question of free will and its relation to the grace of God.

Summary: When the time stipulated in the Pope's bull of excommunication had elapsed on December 10, 1520, Luther and some of his students burned the bull and copies of the canon law. This pamphlet details their reasons for doing so. This is the third (of three) printings of the first edition.

Summary: When the time stipulated in the Pope's bull of excommunication had elapsed on December 10, 1520, Luther and some of his students burned the bull and copies of the canon law. This pamphlet details their reasons for doing so. This is the third (of three) printings of the first edition.