Aldus’ Statius of 1502

Venice, 1502 · In a fine early 19th century French binding

TitleSylvarum libri quinque. Thebaidos libri duodecem. Achilleidos duo. Orthographia. AuthorStatius, Publius PapiniusPrinter / PublisherAldus ManutiusPlace of PublicationVeniceEdition1st Aldine editionFormatOctavoBindingFull 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. Collation296 unnumbered leaves (complete)Date1502Dimensions157 × 96 mmConditionSmall 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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