Simplicius

Median folio (306 x 205mm.), 168 leaves, Α¹⁰ Β-Υ⁸ Φ⁶, 37 lines, Greek type, first leaf printed in red with woodcut printer's device of Blastos, second leaf with heading, woodcut initial and woodcut headpiece printed in red, other woodcut initials and headings in red, woodcut diagrams, woodcut printer's device of Callierges at foot of register, nineteenth-century English red morocco elaborately gilt with central armorial of the Stanley earls of Derby, spine gilt in compartments, gilt edges, some early annotations, title-page slightly soiled with small marginal paper repair, occasional light foxing or spotting, joints slightly worn

Jesuit college of Naples, seventeenth-century inscription on title-page; Stanley family, earls of Derby, arms on binding (most of the library at Knowsley Hall was sold by Christie's in 1953-1954); sale, the property of the late 18th earl of Derby, Christie's London, 26 November 1997, lot 66

Goff S535; HC 14757; BMC v 580; BSB-Ink S-407; Bod-inc S-206; Sander 6998; GW M42298

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. Simplicius, a Neoplatonist scholar of sixth-century Alexandria, wrote several commentaries on Aristotle. It is printed in Callierges' clear Greek type, which took as long to develop as Aldus's, with the accent incorporated into the sort for each letter. This is one of four books printed by Callierges for Nicolaus Blastos, a fellow Cretan, whose role in the collapse of the Lippomano Bank in 1499 marked the end of the press's output.