Anthologia graeca Planudea

4to (217 x 155mm.), 272 leaves (of 280), Α-Ω⁸ ΑΑ-ΚΚ⁸ *⁸, 28 lines, Greek type, 2- to 4-line initial spaces, seventeenth-century vellum, red speckled edges, annotations in Greek, lacking final quire (containing colophon and dedication), occasional light foxing, binding slightly worn

Tiburtius of Florence [perhaps Tiburzio Mercati?], monk, given by him to Federico Ricci, subsequently given by him to Honorius; Florence, library of Santa Trìnita, stamp on first recto; inscription by a monk in Greek on A8 recto; inscription on flyleaf in German dated 1835

Goff A765; HC 1145; BMC vi 666; BSB-Ink A-557; Bod-inc A-308; GW 2048

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."

FIRST EDITION of this collection of Greek epigrams, compiled by Maximus Planudes in the late thirteenth century, and edited for publication by Lascaris, who at the time was librarian to the Medici in Florence. The Alopa press was active between 1494 and 1496; for their edition of Apollonius of Rhodes, which also uses Alopa's epigraphic typeface, see lot 133.

The final quire is often lacking from copies of this work, as it contains Lascaris' dedication to Piero de' Medici, who fled Florence in November 1494 in fear of a popular uprising. In the political climate of post-Medici Florence, the dedication would no longer have been wise or appropriate.