Aristotle. Opera. Basel, 1550. later calf

ARISTOTLE

Απαντα... Opera quaecunque hactenus extiterunt omnia. Basel: Johann Bebel and Michael Isengrin, 1550

2 volumes in one, folio (323 x 192mm.), text in Greek, woodcut device on title-pages and on final verso (otherwise blank), woodcut initials, a few woodcut illustrations, old calf, a few early annotations, numerous notes in Latin, Greek and English on front and rear flyleaves (probably nineteenth-century) and in text in ink, pencil and red crayon, neat annotations in Greek in second volume, Greek quotation from Aristotle written on first title-page, occasional light staining, T5 torn in margin, binding rubbed, rebacked

The text of this edition was prepared by Simon Grynaeus and first printed in 1531; this is the third edition, which retains the original preface addressed by Erasmus to Thomas More's son John. Grynaeus travelled to England in 1531 (with the printer Johann Bebel) and was assisted by Thomas More to find manuscripts of Greek texts (see also lot 19, Euclid), and this preface was presumably designed to smooth Grynaeus' path in advance of his visit. Bebel decided, however, to name Erasmus on the title-page of Grynaeus' editions of Aristotle, rather than the actual editor.

LITERATURE:

VD16 A 3281

PROVENANCE:

Steuart, faint inscription on second title-page; Marquess of Camden, armorial bookplate (probably John Jeffreys Pratt, second Earl Camden, 1759-1840), from the 5th Marquess Camden Will Trust, sale, Bloomsbury Auctions, 15 September 2010, lot 1009