1524 Luther New Testament in Low German

Low German New Testament.
Das Neue Testament unsers Herrn Jesu Christi.
Wittenberg: Hans Lufft, 1524. (BRB0113)

A rare surviving example of the early small-format vernacular editions of the scriptures that contributed greatly to the success of the Reformation movement, this book represents the first edition of the New Testament in Low German to utilize Luther’s High German translation as its source. The woodcuts, which survive here and in only one other recorded copy, were likely the earliest images designed for an octavo printing of Luther’s New Testament.

The Apocalypse text features twenty-one full-page illustrations, including the hand-colored woodcut based on Revelation 10:1–11. Wrapped in clouds, a mighty angel with a face like the sun and burning pillars for legs commands St. John to eat the book that contains the fulfillment of divine prophecy. The book tastes sweet in the saint’s mouth, but turns bitter in his stomach.