Lactantius

Median folio (328 x 223mm.), 218 leaves (of 220, without initial and final blank leaves), *¹², 1-11¹⁰ 12⁸ 13-16¹⁰ 17¹² 18-20¹⁰ 21⁸, 38 lines, roman type with printed Greek quotations, 2-line initials (with some manuscript guides) and paraphs supplied in red and blue, first leaf of text with initial M in gold with three-sided white vine-stem border on red, blue and green ground with circular space for armorial device at foot of page, a further eight 6-line initials in gold on similar white vine-stem grounds, early manuscript annotations and corrections (including the addition of accents to the Greek text), contemporary manuscript running titles, late eighteenth-century English citron morocco gilt with Harleian-style centrepiece, spine gilt in compartments, in modern buckram folding box, very light foxing throughout, small wormhole in foot of first two leaves, small hole at head of 7/2, 21/1 supplied from another copy (slightly shorter), extremities rubbed with a few small scrapes at foot of upper cover, joints cracking

eighteenth-century pressmark on flyleaf, 2G.4.22; Law Society, armorial bookplate

Goff L2; HC 9807; BMC iv 4; Bod-inc L-003; GW M16542

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."

The second book to be printed by Sweynheym and Pannartz in Rome, and the second edition of Lactantius. The Greek type used in this edition differs from their Subiaco edition of 1465, and diacritics have been added in manuscript to some of the Greek quotations. Additionally, this edition has Lactantius's poem on the phoenix at the end, together with extracts from Ovid's Metamorphoses and Dante's Commedia on the phoenix (which is the earliest appearance of Dante in print) and the ancient Easter hymn of Venantius Fortunatus, "Salve festa dies".

The red and blue initials (with some manuscript guide letters) and paraphs in the preliminary quire are identical to that in the copy now in Munich, indicating that it was most likely executed in the printers' workshop.

The tools on the binding match two bindings in the Henry Davis Gift in the British Library (nos 180 and 181), both dated to the 1770s or 1780s, and listing five other bindings from this workshop.