Euripides

volume 1 (of 2), 8vo (161 x 100mm.), woodcut Aldine device on last leaf, early seventeenth-century calf, rebacked, "noli alium sapere" device with monogram IM stamped in gilt on covers, spine gilt in compartments, edges gilt and gauffered, slightly browned, upper joint weak, lower cover detached (with last three leaves attached to lower cover and some small resulant paper tears), one spine label becoming detached

John Ponet, Bishop of Winchester, inscription on 3H6r and some annotations; William Wilkinson, who "bought this book of Mr Aspley," inscription dated 1628 on flyleaf; IM, gilt monogram on covers

Adams E1030; Censimento 16 CNCE 18373; Renouard 1503:10; Texas 70; UCLA 55/1

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

Editio princeps of the extant plays of Euripides (with the exception of the four plays printed previously in Florence, before 18 June 1495). The text was prepared by John Gregoropoulos.

The controversial Protestant reformer John Ponet (c. 1514–1556) was Bishop of Winchester from 1551 until 1553 when he fled to Strassburg on the accession of Mary I. Ponet was an accomplished Greek scholar who, while studying at Cambridge, had been instrumental in introducing a new method of Greek pronunciation developed by John Cheke, later the University's first Regius Professor of Greek. For a book with extensive manuscript annotations by Ponet, relating to priestly marriage, see the sale of Highlights from the Mendham Collection, 5 June 2013, lot 64.