Gerbelius | In descriptionem Graeciae Sophiani, praefatio, (Basel: Oporinus, 1545)

GREECE AND THE LEVANT, A PRIVATE LIBRARY, LOTS 157-213

GERBELIUS, NICOLAUS

In descriptionem Graeciae Sophiani, praefatio. (Basel: Oporinus, 1545)

FIRST EDITION, folio (308 x 200mm.), 21 woodcut illustrations, colophon leaf at end (M3), final leaf blank (M4), modern vellum, text damp-stained

Gerbelius wrote this work to accompany the maps of Greece compiled by Nikolaos Sophianos, an emigre Corfiot who studied at the Greek Gymnasium founded by Leo X at Rome. According to Zacharakis, the map appeared in about 1536, with a second edition appearing in 1544. Neither edition has survived, being known only from the woodcut re-issue of 1601 or the engraved version of 1552. The woodcut views purport to show Greek towns and cities; they are plainly of German cities, the subjects being depicted with gothic spires and buildings.

LITERATURE:

Blackmer 676; Legrand & Pernot, Bib. Ionienne, 35

PROVENANCE:

G.J. Arvanitidi, bookplate