[Liturgy] Neon anthologion, Rome, 1598, tan morocco gilt with the arms of Marescot

Liturgy. Greek rite. Anthologion

Νεον ανθολογιον πληρεστατον τε και ακριβεστατον (Litera... Clementis... VIII super indulto, ut clerici vel monachi Graeci... hoc Breviario uti possint). Rome: Stamperia Apostolica Vaticana, 1598

2 parts in one volume, 8vo (170 x 110mm.), ruled in red, printed in red and black, woodcut papal arms on title-page, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, text in Greek (except for Latin dedication to Clement VIII by Antonio Arcudi), with blank leaf Aa8, seventeenth-century tan morocco gilt with arms of Marescot [Olivier 620], gilt edges, upper joint cracked, hinges strengthened, ends of spine slightly chipped

RARE. A Greek breviary produced by Antonio Arcudi, archpriest from Soleto in Puglia, for the use of Greeks in Italy observing the Byzantine rite. It was composed in the manner of the Latin breviary, together with the Psalter and Hours. The printing was supervised by Aldo Manuzio the younger, though he died in 1597 before it was completed.

Bound at the end is the papal bull issued by Clement VIII on the use of this liturgy by the Greek clergy and monks, granting a privilege restricting its printing for 10 years. The six-page letter is signed by M. Vestrius Barbianus and dated Ferrara, 30 July 1598. We have not been able to find a copy of this printed letter recorded elsewhere.

LITERATURE

Edit16 12020; Legrand II.225

PROVENANCE

Guillaume Marescot (1567-1643, privy counsellor, and owner of a substantial library of 6,000 volumes); Bernard Quaritch, Catalogue: Examples of the Art of Book-Binding and volumes bearing distinguished marks of ownership, 1897, no.516, priced £8-8s