SYLBURG, ETYMOLOGICON MAGNUM, HEIDELBERG, 1596, CONTEMPORARY CALF

folio (355 x 220mm.), woodcut printer's device on title-page, contemporary calf with gilt stamped centrepiece (a Heidelberg binding?), occasional light browning or staining, some small stains, small hole in gutter of E4, binding rebacked and repaired at edges

Frontonus, name on title-page, probably the Jesuit Fronton du Duc (1558-1624), a Greek scholar who taught at Pont-à-Mousson; Jesuits of Pont-à-Mousson, inscription on title-page (crossed through); Jesuit college of Paris, inscription at head of title-page; Mure of Caldwell, bookplate (probably William Mure, 1799-1860, scholar and politician); Dominican Fathers, Edinburgh, ink stamp on title-page

VD16 S10347

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."

Presentation copy from the printer to Frontonus, inscribed on the title-page (in a fine humanist hand) "R.V.D. Frontoni Typographus, D[onum].D[edit]." Some copies have a list of authorities cited on the verso of the title-page, not here present (nor does it appear in the Berlin copy). Sylburg learned Greek in Paris under Henri Estienne and was a corrector and editor of Greek texts in Frankfurt before becoming librarian to the Elector Palatine in Heidelberg in 1591. He died in 1596. The text for this Etymologicon was based on that of Marcus Musurus, originally printed in Venice by Kallierges in 1499, and it retains Musurus' preface as well as Federico Torresani's later one from 1549 (UCLA 1036).