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Books · 16th century
Aldus’ Statius of 1502
Venice, 1502 · In a fine early 19th century French binding
Title Sylvarum libri quinque. Thebaidos libri duodecem. Achilleidos duo. Orthographia. Author Statius, Publius Papinius Printer / Publisher Aldus Manutius Place of Publication Venice Edition 1st Aldine edition Format Octavo Binding Full 19th century crushed navy morocco, spine divided by raised bands into six compartments, gilt lettered direct in second and third compartments, edges of boards ruled in gilt, elaborate gilt inner dentelles, Aldine device in gold on front and back covers, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers. Collation 296 unnumbered leaves (complete) Date 1502 Dimensions 157 × 96 mm Condition Small repair to k1, title page and s1 supplied from another copy (either at the time of or prior to the present 19th century binding). Joints slightly weakened, minor scuffing to extremities.
Text in italics, with blank leaf i8, woodcut Aldine device at end of Orthographia. First state, with cautum est et in hoc (for cautum est in hoc) in the colophon, found in only a handful of the earliest copies printed.
A fine copy in an understated yet opulent binding.
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