Eusebius Caesariensis

Median folio (330 x 223mm.), 219 leaves (of 200, without initial blank), [a-m¹⁰ n¹² o¹⁰ p⁸ q-y¹⁰], 34 lines, roman type, 2- to 6-line initial spaces, eighteenth-century English citron morocco gilt, spine gilt in compartments, final leaf laid down, last few leaves slightly stained, binding slightly rubbed, spine darkened

Earl of Sunderland, removed from Blenheim Palace, without bookplate but with shelfmarks on flyleaf, sale, Puttick and Simpson, April 1882, lot 4362, £10-10s, Rimell & Son; Sir Edward Sullivan, bookplate, sale, Sotheby's, 27 May 1890, lot 2354, £5, Rimell

Goff E126; HC 6710; BMC iv 34; BSB-Ink E-111; Bod-inc E-043; GW 9436; Grosjean & O'Connell 53

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."

There are two issues of this edition; one with a dedication to Sixtus IV (to whom most of Lignamine's books were dedicated), and the other with a dedication to Cardinal Guillaume d'Estouteville, as here. The dedication to Sixtus mentions that he has printed more than 10,000 volumes, and the dedication to d'Estouteville mentions more than 5,000 volumes. It has been calculated from this that the Sixtus dedication may date from nearer 1481, rather than 1476, in order for him to have printed that many more volumes. The register, however, refers to the text for the Sixtus dedication, which conversely indicates that the Sixtus dedication came first. In May 1476 there was plague in Rome, and Sixtus IV left for the country with six accompanying cardinals, including d'Estouteville.

Some of the tools on the binding match those on the binding of Justinianus, Institutiones (Rome, Han, 1473; see lot 205), indicating that the bindings were probably made for the third Earl of Sunderland.