Plutarchus, Ta sozomena syngrammata, [Geneva], Estienne 1572, 6 volumes, large paper copy, Parisian red morocco gilt

6 volumes (3 volumes of varia and 3 volumes of vitae), 8vo (186 x 110 mm). Greek type, 32 lines plus headline. collation: (1) *⁸ a-z A-Z Aa-Cc⁸: 400 leaves (Cc6-8 blank); (2) aa-zz AA-PP⁸: 304 leaves (PP7-8 blank); (3) aaa-zzz AAA-YYY⁸: 360 leaves (YYY7-8 blank); (4) a-z A-M⁸ N¹⁰: 292 leaves (N5-6 bound in quire a of volume 5); (5) a⁶ b⁸ Cc-Zz aA-rR⁸: 318 leaves (rR8 blank); (6) Aa-Zz Aaa-Vvv⁸ Xxx¹⁰: 354 leaves. Woodcut Estienne device on titles, woodcut initials and headpieces, ruled in red. (Occasional marginal worming or damp-staining, more worming in volume 3 towards end.)

binding: Contemporary Parisian red morocco gilt (192 x 119 mm), double frame of triple gilt fillets on covers, flat spines with triple gilt fillet and title lettering, gilt edges. (Occasional slightly staining, corners slightly rubbed, spines a little creased, some repairs to ends of spines, lower covers of volume 3 and 6 with wormholes and slight staining.)

provenance: J. Grangier, inscription on flyleaves, presumably Jean Grangier (1576-1643, professor at the University of Paris) — Veyssiere, inscription on inside front covers (plausibly Mathurin Veyssière de Lacroze, 1661-1739) — B.H. Blackwell, A centenary catalogue of antiquarian and rare modern books (Oxford, 1979), item 21 — Librairie Patrick et Elisabeth Sourget, catalogue 4 (Chartres, 1998), item 43. acquisition: Purchased in 1990 from Librairie Patrick et Elisabeth Sourget, Chartres. references: GLN-6171; Schreiber, Estiennes 180 (large paper copy); USTC 452093