Quintilianus, Marcus Fabius

Median folio (306 x 209mm.), 281 leaves, [*⁴; a-f¹⁰ g⁸ h-k¹⁰ l-m⁸ n⁶⁺¹ o-z¹⁰ A⁸ B-E¹⁰ F⁸], 35 lines, roman type with some words in Greek, 8-line initials in gold with white vine-stem decoration (done later, in period style), 2-line initials supplied in red or blue, eighteenth-century red morocco gilt, spine gilt in compartments with black morocco lettering-piece (becoming detached), gilt edges, first leaf slightly soiled and repaired at foot, d10 torn and repaired without loss, h6 and k6 with initial excised and replaced with text from verso supplied in manuscript, a few letters erased from A1v, some illuminated initials water-stained, repaired wormholes towards end, extremities rubbed

Earl of Jersey, Osterley Park bookplate, sale, Sotheby's, 12 May 1885, lot 1452 ("extremely rare"); price £18-15-0 and some notes written in pencil on flyleaf; William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899

Goff Q24; HC 13646; BMC iv 29; Bod-inc Q-011; GW M36809; Grosjean & O'Connell 97

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. The complete text was discovered by Poggio Bracciolini at Sankt-Gallen in 1416, and thereafter was widely distributed, being of great interest to humanist scholars. This edition is based on the tenth-century manuscript Bracciolini found and which he copied for sending to Italy. The manuscript is now in Zurich.

This is the first book attributed to Lignamine's first press (for the last book see lot 150, Eusebius), and the Greek type used was the third one produced. Lignamine (or Legname) was a gentleman from Sicily rather than a craftsman, and is considered the first native printer in Italy. The editor, Campano, also worked for Ulrich Han and this volume was previously attributed to Han. At the time of publication Campano was in the household of Pius II's nephew, Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini, to whom the book is dedicated.