ESOPE.

Lot 1049
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Estimation :
12000 - 18000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 34 121EUR
ESOPE.
Vitae, & Fabellae Aesopi cum interpretiatione latina... Gabriae fabellae tres & quadraginta ex trimetris iambis, praeter ultimam ex Scazonte, cum latina interpretatione. Venice, Aldus Manuca, October 1505. In-folio (289 x 180 mm) of 150 ff. of random pagination; long-grained hazelnut morocco, double gilt fillet and cold-framed decoration, gilt Aldine anchor in the centre, spine ribbed, gilt edges (19th century English binding). Unique Aldine edition of Aesop's Fables and first Greek edition donated by Horapollon of the Nile. It is accompanied by the first edition of its Latin translation and a biography of Aesop attributed to Planude. This edition is one of the publications that formed the foundation of Hellenic culture in the 16th century . Also included are the first edition of Horapollo's Hyeroglyphica, Ponticus' allegories about Homer, 43 fables by Babrius, texts by Cornutus, the teacher of Lucain, Heraclide of the Bridge, pupil of Seusippus and Plato etc... "This Aldine edition is thus rightly defined by N.G. Wilson as a most curious miscellany" (From Byzanthium to Italy, p. 143). "This edition may be considered among the rarer and more beautiful productions of the Aldine press" (Dibdin, I, p. 247). Very good copy, of what Brunet describes as "a fine edition, very much sought after, and whose well-preserved copies are not easily found". The Aldine anchor illustrates the title page and the last page. Washed copy at the time of binding, head margin formerly restored, a few freckles at the beginning and end. Adams, A-278; Brunet, I, 83; Ahmanson-Murphy, 93; Renouard, Aldus, 49:6.
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