Publius Vergilius Maro: OPERA, Lyon, Jean Crespin, 1529

Description

Opera cum decem commentis, docte et familiariter exposita.

Lyon: Jean Crespin, 1529 

2 parts in one volume in folio (32 x 22 cm); pagination: I (6) cc., 17-268, 95 pp.; II (6) cc., 13-600 pp., (8) cc.; with woodcut border on frontispiece, circa 200 woodcut engravings, numerous woodcut decorative initials; contemporary vellum binding over wooden boards, with brass clasps. Few initial and final leaves with clumsy repairs at lower margin (with scotch), a few tears, some spotting, signs of use, binding with cracks on spine, yet very sturdy. Repairs at lower corner of fore board.

Comments:

Richly illustrated edition with the woodcuts of the so-called Strasbourg Grüninger edition of 1502. The printing blocks arrived in Lyon after 1515 and were used there in 1517 Jacques Sacon’s Vergil edition until they were finally reprinted in this work. The loss of some printing blocks was replaced by repeated woodcuts. “Grüninger’s artist applied to the work a skilled hand and a lively imagination … the Strasbourg edition is one of the lavishly illustrated of classical texts (Mortimer 537).

Reference: Adams V 474. Mortimer 538. Baudrier XII, 345 Anm.