Details
THUCYDIDES. Works, in Greek, [Venice, in domo Aldi, Maio 1502], 2°, EDITIO PRINCEPS, Greek type, initial spaces with guide letters in red (slight soiling and browning to margins, title and A2 most affected, lacking blanks AA8 and OP4), 18th-century crimson morocco, gilt, covers with single gilt fillet border, spine gilt in 7 compartments with raised bands, lettered in one, the rest with repeated floral ornaments (joints and corners rubbed, lower cover slightly scuffed), top edge gilt (but soiled). [Adams T662; Renouard p. 33 no. 4]
Provenance: Michael Smith, Esq. (19th-century armorial bookplate). Another outstanding example of Aldus's Greek printing. The history of the Peloponnesian War of Thucydides (c. 460 - c. 400 B.C.), one of the greatest of all historians, was described by the author himself as "a possession for all time," not a prize composition to be heard and forgotten, though it remained unfinished, breaking off amid the events of 411. B.C.
Illustrated on front cover.
Provenance: Michael Smith, Esq. (19th-century armorial bookplate). Another outstanding example of Aldus's Greek printing. The history of the Peloponnesian War of Thucydides (c. 460 - c. 400 B.C.), one of the greatest of all historians, was described by the author himself as "a possession for all time," not a prize composition to be heard and forgotten, though it remained unfinished, breaking off amid the events of 411. B.C.
Illustrated on front cover.