Livius, Titus

folio (292 x 205mm.), title printed in red and black with woodcut illustration of a battle scene, large woodcut of Maximilian I, woodcut initials and illustrations, with blank leaf R6, late eighteenth-century calf-backed boards, spine gilt in compartments with coloured paper lettering-pieces, lower corner of m6 torn just touching text, O8 and Xx6 torn and repaired, ink stain on O4 and Ff4, Eee3 torn at foot, occasional light browning, binding slightly rubbed

early inscription on title-page dated October 1521; Abbot Coelestinus, Benedictine monastery of Sankt Veit am Rott (Neumarkt), letterpress booklabel dated 1800

VD16 T2104

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."

This loose German translation, first published in 1505, is by Bernhard Schöfferlin and Ivo Wittich. The numerous and fine woodcuts are considered the work of one of the artists working for Johann Grüninger in Strassburg, and some are in two parts so that they could be combined in different ways. All the scenes show the characters in contemporary German costume; there is not a toga in sight. Schöffer's preface describes Mainz as the birthplace of printing, "die wunderbar kunst der Truckerey", in the year 1450 due to "Johan Güttenbergk", which was subsequently improved by Fust and Schöffer.