This very rare edition of the "Ladder of Paradise" was originally written in Greek by Climacus and translated into Latin by Ambrosius Calmaldulensis. The text, divided into 30 parts or "steps," represents the first 30 years of the hidden life of Christ. The book was printed in Cologne in 1583 by Franz Birckmann, an important publisher of the time. The title page shows Roman and Italic type and bears an interesting printer's mark. It depicts Daniel in the lion's den with a quotation "Non Timbo" (I do not fear) from Psalm 117. The upper left corner of the mark shows an angel carrying Habakkuk (by the hair of the head) who is bringing food in his arms for the besieged Daniel. The book's binding is brown morocco, embossed with gold, with a spine of white lambskin. Medallions enhance the front and back covers.[ME]

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