Plutarch

4to (292 x 172mm.), large woodcut Aldine device on title-page and on final verso (otherwise blank), first leaf ruled in red, early annotations (somewhat washed), late eighteenth-century English red morocco with two gilt fillets in the style of Roger Payne, spine compartments with gilt fillets and lettered in gilt, gilt edges, some deckle edges, small repair to title-page with a few letters on verso supplied in manuscript, several leaves washed and slightly browned, binding very slightly rubbed

Wilmot, earl of Lisburne (1730-1800), armorial bookplate and library shelfmark
Extract from a sale catalogue loosely inserted, lot 419, stating that the binding is by Roger Payne; and another pasted at end, lot 266
Henry J.B. Clements (1869-1940), Killadoon, Ireland, armorial bookplate

Censimento 16 CNCE 37429; Renouard 55/1; Texas 92; UCLA 101

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 PLUTARCH'S MORALIA, and also the first publication of this text; Aldus's heirs published an edition of the Parallel Lives in Greek in 1519. The text was taken from a thirteenth-century manuscript (now in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, which still shows traces of the printing shop) and was considered a good critical edition, with readings supplemented from another manuscript. Alongside Doukas, Erasmus and Girolamo Aleandro also worked on this edition, which Aldus had been planning since at least 1506.