Books and Manuscripts

Cologne: Johann Crithium, 1614. Two volumes in one. Second edition. Folio. (viii), 180, (12); (xii), 518, (62) pp. Full contemporary pigskin, elaborately tooled in blind, gilt arms of suffragan bishop of Bamburg, Frederich Forner, on front board, gilt stamp of the cross on rear board, clasp remnants on front and rear boards, contemporary manuscript title on upper spine, later old paper label below same, scattered wear and soiling to boards; all edges trimmed; armorial book-plate of Joseph W. and Josephine W. Drexel on front paste-down; inscribed on title-page: "Collegy Bambergensis Societas Jesu. 10. January Anno 1631 Sum Frederici Forneri Suffraganai Bambergensis Theol. D. er: su. Ex Euis Testameto", also signed on same by Philadelphia physician John Redman Coxe; gutter worn at title-page; title-page toned and foxed; text leaves toned, foxed, and with scattered soiling.

Frederich Forner (1568-1630) was born in Weismain near Kulmbach in upper Franconia, studied at the University of Wuirzburg, and in 1592 became a professor of rhetoric at the newly founded seminary in Bramburg. In 1594 he went to Rome to further his studies at the Collegium Germanicum, and from 1598 onward he held a number of important offices in the administration of the Hochstift Bamberg. He served under three bishops, Neithard von Thiingen (1591-99), Johann Gottfried von Aschhausen (1609-22), and Johann
Georg II Fuchs von Dornheim (1622-33), where he spearheaded reforms to
the diocesan administration, and headed the circle of spiritual councilors (Geistliche Rdte). In 1609 he was appointed vicar-general, and three years later raised to the office of suffragan bishop. "It has been said that during his tenure as suffragan bishop, Forner did more for the restoration of Catholicism in the diocese of Bamberg than had been accomplished since the Council of Trent." (Smith, Friedrich Förner, the Catholic Reformation, and Witch-Hunting in Bamberg, 2005, p. 116). He published several works during his lifetime, most notably on witchcraft and church history, as well as anti-Protestant polemics.

John Redman Coxe (1773-1864) was an American physician and professor of medicine. Educated at the University of Edinburgh, Coxe attained his degree in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied under Dr. Benjamin Rush. Coxe practiced medicine through his long career in Philadelphia, first at the Pennsylvania Hospital and then at the Philadelphia Dispensary. He was an early supporter of vaccination, and was one of the first physicians in Philadelphia to offer it. A noted medical author, he published Practical Observation on Vaccination, or Inoculation for the Cow-pock (1802), and was editor of The American Dispensary. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1799.

Joseph W. Drexel (1833-88) was a Philadelphia born, banker, philanthropist, book collector, and brother of banker Anthony Joseph Drexel, and uncle to Saint Katherine Drexel. Josephine (1878-1966) was the youngest of Joseph's four daughters.