Sophocles

8vo (156 x 90mm.), woodcut printer's device on final verso (otherwise blank), with the blank leaves, early nineteenth-century straight-grained purple morocco gilt by Storr of Grantham, gilt Aldine centrepiece, gilt border, spine gilt in compartments, gilt edges, extremities slightly rubbed

Sir John Hayford Thorold (1773-1831) of Syston Park (Lincolnshire), with his bookplate and the Syston Park bookplate; John Murray, Newstead, Wimbledon Park, gilt bookplate; bought from Gilhofer in 1975 for 4400 Fr., pencil note at end

The Syston Park library, which contained a substantial number of Aldines, was sold by Sotheby's in December 1884; lot 1820 was a copy of the 1502 Sophocles, but in a red morocco binding by Roger Payne.

John Murray (1808-1892) was part of the publishing dynasty, whose house in Wimbledon was named after Byron's home and contained "a fine library" (W. Zachs, ODNB).

Aldo Manuzio Tipografo 62; Censimento 16 CNCE 36139; Renouard 34/6; Texas 53; UCLA 60

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, and the first of Aldus's Greek texts to appear in his new octavo format. The commentaries mentioned on the title-page were not included in this edition and were later published in 1518 by the Gymnasium Mediceum, the Greek college in Rome whose press was established by Janus Lascaris, the dedicatee of Aldus's edition.

Aldus's small Greek cursive appears in this edition for the first time; later in 1502 Francesco Griffo, Aldus's typecutter, left Aldus's employ, and no new fonts were cut after this. This is also the first book in which Aldus's Greek Academy is mentioned, in both the preface and the colophon: "in Aldi Romani Academia".