Lot 02

Publius Vergilius Maro OPERA VIRGILIANA

Opera Virgiliana cum decem commentis, docte et familiariter exposita, docte quidem Bucolica, et Georgica... An editorially, typographically and illustratively exceptional edition of Virgil. Edited by Jodocus Badius Ascensius, printed by Jean Crespin in Lyon 1529, not stated in print. Two volumes in one volume. Remarkably executed decorative double-column printed pages, with an internal third column inserted in places, also decorated header here, continuous rubrication, marginalia. The artistically valuable, richly printed and full woodcuts are taken from the printing plates of Grüninger's edition of 1502. One can thus speak of sixty-three post-incunabula, practically still incunabula, impressions, the typesetting bearing the same character. The faithful interpretation of the Latin text, successfully carried out by an anonymous Strasbourg painter and mould cutter, is attributed to the active participation and collaboration of Sebastian Brant (1457-1521) himself, author of the legendary "Ship of Fools", first published in German in 1494, illustrated by the young Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). The quality of the woodcuts moves them from decorative prints to the level of art prints, and they are also the subject of individual sales on the world market. The copy is in excellent condition, without restoration interventions, the frontispieces sensitively restored with old paper, provenance and bibliographical attributions. Dark 17th century leather binding with rubbed gilt outer fillets.