Hermes Trismegistus

De potestate et sapientia dei (Marsilio Ficino, trans.). Treviso: Gerardus de Lisa, de Flandria, 18 December 1471 



8vo (8 1/4 x 5 3/8 in.; 210 x 135 mm). collation: [1–4^{10 5–68=56 leaves], type: 105R, 24 lines, one 4-line and one 1-line initial in red. Nineteenth-century blue morocco, quadruple-ruled frame with gilt-stamped beads at intersections of the rules, edges gilt, gilt-stamped title on spine, dentelles, remains of pink silk placeholder, paper shelf label on upper cover, a few scratches and small signs of rubbing, blue half-morocco drop-box.}

Sir Edward Sullivan (his sale, Sotheby's, 3 June 1890, lot 4287) — Bishop John Vertue (bookplate) — Stonyhurst College, Lancashire

Goff H-77; HR 8456; BMC VI, 883

De potestate et sapientia dei (Marsilio Ficino, trans.). Treviso: Gerardus de Lisa, de Flandria, 18 December 1471 8vo (8 1/4 x 5 3/8 in.; 210 x 135 mm). collation: [1–410 5–68=56 leaves], type: 105R, 24 lines, one 4-line and one 1-line initial in red. Nineteenth-century blue morocco, quadruple-ruled frame with gilt-stamped beads at intersections of the rules, edges gilt, gilt-stamped title on spine, dentelles, remains of pink silk placeholder, paper shelf label on upper cover, a few scratches and small signs of rubbing, blue half-morocco drop-box.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

First edition of the Poemander, the first work of the Hermetic corpus to be discovered in the Renaissance. Written in Greek in Egypt, not long after 100 AD, the language closely approximates that of the Septuagint. In 1463 Cosimo de' Medici acquired a manuscript of the Greek text which he presented to his resident scholar Marsilio Ficino for translation.

The work consists of fourteen dialogues describing a vision seen under the guidance of Poemander, a semi-divine being. It describes the creation of the universe and man, the union of spirit and matter following the Fall, and the method of redemption by knowledge. Ficino thought he recognized an ancient source of philosophy pre-dating both Greek Philosophy and the Bible. The result of his work was the present edition which began an influential fashion of interpreting Christian theology in Neo-Platonic terms.