Politianus, Angelus

Super-Royal folio (305 x 205mm.), 452 leaves, a-p⁸ q-r¹⁰ s-t⁸ A-I⁸ K⁴ L-P⁸ Q-R¹⁰ S⁸ T¹⁰ V⁶ X-Y¹⁰ Z⁸ &¹⁰ aa¹⁰ iteru[m] aa iteru[m] bb⁸ bb-hh⁸ ii⁶ kk¹⁰, 38 lines plus headline, Greek and roman type, 2- to 9-line initial spaces with printed guides, nineteenth-century tan morocco gilt, spine gilt in compartments with green morocco lettering-pieces, gilt edges, repaired wormholes in first few leaves, g1 supplied from another copy?, G3_6 slightly browned, repaired tear to H5, annotations washed from L3-4, binding slightly rubbed, lower hinge cracked

William Horatio Crawford (died 1888), Lakelands, Cork, armorial bookplate, sale, Sotheby's, 12 March 1891, lot 2504, £4-10s, to Rimell; William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899

Goff P886; H 13218; BMC v 559; BSB-Ink P-663; Bod-inc P-422; GW M34727; Grosjean & O'Connell 95; Aldo Manuzio tipografo 25; Renouard 17/4; Texas 22; UCLA 26

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 complete edition of Poliziano's works, containing the first use of Hebrew type by Aldus on H8. Poliziano (1454-1494) was tutor to the sons of Lorenzo de' Medici before becoming chair of Latin and Greek at the Florentine Studio, and was renowned for his mastery of the Greek language. He had begun preparing his letters for publication himself, with the assistance of the Bolognese humanist Alessandro Sarti, but not published in Bologna at that time as the printer, Platon Benedetti, died in 1496; Aldus stepped in and completed the project.

On the flyleaf are bibliographical notes in two hands, one definitely O'Brien's, the other plausibly Crawford's, about the contents of the book.