Theocritus, Idyllia [and other works], Venice, Aldus, 1495/96, modern leather binding

Property from the Loverdos collection

Theocritus

Ειδυλλια; Theognis; Dionysius Cato: Disticha [translated into Greek by Maximus Planudes]; Sententiae Septem sapientium; De invidia; Hesiodus: Opera et dies, Theogonia. Venice: Aldus Manutius, February 1495/96

Super-Chancery folio (291 x 198mm.), 137 leaves (of 140), A.A-Δ.D⁸ E.E.-Θ.G.⁶; AA.αα-ΔΔ.δδ⁸ ΕΕ.εε⁶ ΖΖ.ζζ¹⁰; α.a-β.b⁸ γ.c¹⁰; δ.d-ε.e⁸, quire ΖΖ.ζζ bound after quire Θ.G., 30 lines, Greek type, woodcut initials and headpieces, manuscript foliation in Greek numerals, other old annotations in Greek, modern leather, lacking A.A8 and δ.d2 and 7, substantial paper repairs throughout (though mostly marginal); sold not subject to return

Second edition of Theocritus, accompanied by Hesiod's Works and days, Shield of Hercules and Theogony, together with the Distichs of Theognis and other smaller Greek works. Theocritus's Idylls had been previously issued in Milan in 1480 by Bonus Accursius, but this volume contains the editio princeps of Hesiod's Theogonia. Aldus dedicates his edition to his former teacher Battista Guarino, who had requested him to produce an edition of Theogonia.

This is the first issue, with Θ.G.6v blank, and the incorrect text on Z.F5 (see BMC).

LITERATURE

Aldo Manuzio tipografo 7; ISTC it00144000; Renouard 5/3; UCLA 7

PROVENANCE

"Petrou tou Chaire[t-]", inscription in Greek at foot of title-page