Details
ERASMUS Desiderius (1466?-1536). \kMWRIAS EGKWMION\K. Stultitiae laus, cum commentariis Ger. Listrii, & figuris Jo. Holbenii. Basel: Genathian, 1676.
8° (183 x 112mm). Engraved additional title by Kaspar Merian after Holbein, engraved device on title, full-page engraved portrait of Erasmus by Merian after Holbein, 2 other full-page engraved portraits after Holbein, 2 engraved headpieces, 1 full-page engraved transcription of Erasmus' memorial stone, 81 illustrations (6 mounted and folding) by Merian after Holbein. (The folding illustrations browned.) Contemporary French red morocco gilt, covers with triple fillet border, spine titled in second compartment, the others with repeat decoration in gilt centered around a lozenge-shaped tool of stylised foliage, gilt turn-ins, comb-marbled endpapers, gilt edges (very slight scuffing to extremities).
A VERY FINE COPY OF THE IMPORTANT FIRST ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF IN PRAISE OF FOLLY. The quality of this edition has long been recognised: de Bure, writing in 1775, called it an 'Édition fort estimée'. This work was published through the efforts of Frenchman Charles Patin, who was living with his family in exile in Basel. The work served as a platform for him to publicise his efforts to be allowed back into France. Most of the images are taken from drawings made by Hans Holbein and his brother Ambrosius in the margins of a Froben 1515 edition of Erasmus's work, originally owned by Oswald Geisshüsler Myconius. Patin obtained permission for the local artist Wilhelm Stettler to copy the originals, and then Merian produced the plates from Stettler's copies. The folding illustrations are particularly unusual for a work of this period.
8° (183 x 112mm). Engraved additional title by Kaspar Merian after Holbein, engraved device on title, full-page engraved portrait of Erasmus by Merian after Holbein, 2 other full-page engraved portraits after Holbein, 2 engraved headpieces, 1 full-page engraved transcription of Erasmus' memorial stone, 81 illustrations (6 mounted and folding) by Merian after Holbein. (The folding illustrations browned.) Contemporary French red morocco gilt, covers with triple fillet border, spine titled in second compartment, the others with repeat decoration in gilt centered around a lozenge-shaped tool of stylised foliage, gilt turn-ins, comb-marbled endpapers, gilt edges (very slight scuffing to extremities).
A VERY FINE COPY OF THE IMPORTANT FIRST ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF IN PRAISE OF FOLLY. The quality of this edition has long been recognised: de Bure, writing in 1775, called it an 'Édition fort estimée'. This work was published through the efforts of Frenchman Charles Patin, who was living with his family in exile in Basel. The work served as a platform for him to publicise his efforts to be allowed back into France. Most of the images are taken from drawings made by Hans Holbein and his brother Ambrosius in the margins of a Froben 1515 edition of Erasmus's work, originally owned by Oswald Geisshüsler Myconius. Patin obtained permission for the local artist Wilhelm Stettler to copy the originals, and then Merian produced the plates from Stettler's copies. The folding illustrations are particularly unusual for a work of this period.
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