Lot 196
Martial
Rare Books, Manuscripts & Photographs
Auction: Rare Books, Manuscripts & Photographs | 09 May 2007
Description
Epigrammata. Venice: in aedibus Aldi, December 1501, 8vo, 192 unnumbered leaves, italic letter, 17th century vellum over boards, later (early C19th?) morocco lettering piece, very faint small spots on title-page, faint marginal waterstain, occasional neat contemporary explanatory notes in Latin, early bibliographical notes at end
Footnote
Note: BM STC Italian Books p. 420; Adams M 689; Brunet III p. 1489; Graesse IV p. 423; Dibdin II p. 229; Renouard 30:7; Gay p. 73.
First Aldine edition. Unlike his other pocket classics, it does not contain a dedication by Aldus, who, according to his publishing policy, wished to provide an edition of Martial as close to the original text as possible. This edition. was very successful among scholars and bibliophiles such as Jean Grolier, who had six copies of it, including a couple on vellum.