Lot 79
  • 79

SENECA, OPERA PHILOSOPHICA. TREVISO, 1478, CONTEMPORARY STAMPED GERMAN CALF

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Opera philosophica. Epistolae [edited by Blasius Romerus]. Treviso: Bernardus de Colonia, 1478
  • Paper
Median folio (325 x 221mm.), 213 leaves (of 214, without final blank), a10 b–h8 i10 k–l8 m10 n–z8 [et]8 aa–bb8, 53 lines, gothic type, start of text with 10-line illuminated initial with leafy marginal extensions (southern German), 3- to 11-line initials in red, initial blank leaf with a page of manuscript of Quintilian on Seneca, early annotations in different hands (some in red ink), contemporary stamped south German calf over wooden boards (plausibly an Augsburg binding), two clasps, a leaf from Epistolae et Evangelia (Plenarium) [German] (Augsburg: Johann Bämler, 20 September 1474), used as front boardliner (though without printed foliation), modern folding box, occasional light staining, rebacked, binding rubbed, lacking both straps

Provenance

inscription on flyleaf dated 1492 (?), "Ex libris patris mei"; Bartholomaeus Amantius of Landsperg [am Lech], Bavaria, sixteenth-century inscription on first leaf of text; Franciscans of Bolzano, inscription at head of first leaf of text; Ned J. Nakles (1931-1999), sale, Christie's New York, 17 April 2000, lot 141

Literature

Goff S369; HC 14591; BMC vi 892; BSB-Ink S-266; Bod-inc S-154; GW M41240

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Second edition of the philosophical works of Seneca, based on the 1475 Naples printing by Moravus. This is one of only two books with the name of Bernardus de Colonia, who may have worked previously for Matthias Moravus in Naples (Bernardus died in September 1478 and in his will he mentions his business connections with the Venetian printers Johannes de Colonia and Johannes Manthen). The editor, Blasius Romerus, was a Cistercian monk from Poblet (Catalonia) who also wrote on music theory and was closely associated with Moravus.