CATHOLIC CHURCH. ARCHDIOCESE OF MAINZ (GERMANY). ARCHBISHOP (1515-1545: ALBERT).
Albertus Dei et Apostolice Sedis gratia Maguntinen[sis] [sic] et Magdeburgen[sis] Archiepiscop[us] ac Halberstaten[sis] ecclesiar[m] Administrator, Germanie Primas ... Indulgence, 1515

Restrictions on Access

Unrestricted access.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

Related Materials

Part of the Richard C. Kessler Reformation Collection of Pitts Theology Library.

Source

Acquired through the generous subvention of C. Gregg Burch in memory of Mr. William W. Burch, 2007.

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Catholic Church Archdiocese of Mainz (Germany) Archbishop (1515-1545: Albert), Albertus Dei et Apostolice Sedis gratia Maguntinen[sis] [sic] et Madgeburgen[sis] Archiepiscop[us] ac Halberstaten[sis] ecclesiar[m] Administrator, Richard C. Kessler Reformation Collection, MSS 085, Archives and Manuscript Dept., Pitts Theology Library, Emory University.

Processing

Processed by Jackie W. Ammerman, December 1994; Brandon Wason, October 2016.

Scope and Content Note

Indulgences were issued to defray the cost of building the basilica of St. Peter in Rome. Their distribution was often linked to the sacrament of penance, as believers were granted spiritual merits in exchange for financial donations. This particular indulgence, believed to be the only specimen of its kind thus far recovered, was issued specifically to clergy, granting them liturgical benefits in exchange for their contributions. The printing of this indulgence was probably ordered by Johann Tetzel himself and carried out by Melchior Lotter, the Elder, who was also to print an edition of Luther's ninety-five theses.

This is the only copy of this edition of this indulgence recovered. J. Tetzel was responsible for the printing of 11 indulgences, issued in 15 editions. This copy was found within a book binding dated 1530, serving as an end paper, by the German bibliographer and Reformation scholar Fritz Beyer in 1937.

References

Beyer, Fritz, "Gedruckte Ablassbriefe und sonstige mit Ablässen in Zusammenhang stehende Druckwerke des Mittelalters." Gutenberg-Jahrbuch (1937), p. 43-54.

Volz, H. "Der St. Peters Ablass und dos deutsche Druckgewerke." Gutenberg-Jahrbuch (1966), p. 156-172.