Isidore of Seville

FIRST EDITION, Chancery folio (273 x 170mm..), 264 leaves, [a⁴ b¹⁰⁺¹ c–n¹⁰ o⁸⁺¹ p–z A¹⁰ B⁸ C¹⁰ D¹⁰⁺²], roman type, 38 lines, 2- to 6-line initials supplied in red, some with marginal flourishes, red paragraph-marks and initial-strokes, woodcut diagrams including "T-O" map, eighteenth-century French marbled calf, double gilt fillet border, spine gilt in compartments, red edges, foredge cut close, some staining and fraying and worming to foredge (resulting in a few crude repairs, some touching text), leaves with large woodcuts with edges folded in, trimmed at edges and repaired with some sections in facsimile, a few small wormholes at end, last 5 leaves damaged and repaired (some laid down) with some text supplied in manuscript facsimile, later front pastedown of diced calf, later (browned) endpapers at front of volume, binding slightly rubbed

PL, early monogram at head of first leaf; R. de Courson de la Villeneuve (ie. Robert, 1845-1923), St Brieuc (Brittany), inscription on flyleaf

Goff I181; H 9273; BMC ii 317; BSB-Ink I-627; Bod-inc I-035; Map: Campbell 77

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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."

CONTAINING THE FIRST WESTERN PRINTED MAP OF THE WORLD; it is also an early appearance of roman type in Germany. The map, known as the "T-O map", originated in the 5th century BC and was perpetuated, in a Christianised version, in manuscripts of the Etymologiae from the 8th century AD onwards. The Mediterranean separates Europe from Africa and the Red Sea, the River Don separates both from Asia. The whole is surrounded by the ocean, the "O", the divisions forming the letter "T". The geographical concept of three continents and the land covering most of the earth is thus embodied, with Christendom satisfied by the central position of Jerusalem. The text is the great encyclopaedia of the early Middle Ages and was very widely studied and read, including aspects of law, medicine, language, geography and natural history. Books 13 and 14 discuss earth, sea and sky, and book 15 is about the cities of the world.