Boethius's De consolatione philosophiae
Boethius's De consolatione philosophiae
1 More
Boethius's De consolatione philosophiae

Guillaume le Roy, not after 24 December 1484

Details
Boethius's De consolatione philosophiae
Guillaume le Roy, not after 24 December 1484
BOETHIUS (c.477-524). De consolatione philosophiae. [Lyons: Guillaume le Roy, not after 24 December 1484.]

Early edition of Boethiuss deeply personal and enduringly popular work of prison literature, in a contemporary binding. Written in prison while awaiting execution, this multivalent work takes the form a dialogue between the author and Lady Philosophy, addressing a wide-range of topics, from fortune and free will to the nature of evil and the role of the classical past—all from a neo-platonist viewpoint. This edition is from the first printer at Lyons, without the Pseudo-Boethian De disciplina scholarium from the same press which usually accompanies it. C 1107; GW 4535; BSB-Ink B-599; Goff B-779; ISTC ib00779000.

Chancery folio (296 x 210mm). Part I only, 166 leaves (of 168, without first and last blanks). Red initial with blue flourishing, smaller red and blue ink initials, red and blue paragraph marks (some leaves browned, repaired tear in text of one leaf, some dampstains). Contemporary blindtooled morocco, remains of paper label on rear board (lacking clasps, losses to leather, rebacked preserving some original leather). Provenance: some interlinear marginalia and other manuscript marks – acquired from Bernard M. Rosenthal, New York, 1 November 1964.

Brought to you by

Eugenio Donadoni
Eugenio Donadoni Senior Specialist, Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

More from Illuminated Manuscripts and Early Printed Books from the Collection of Elaine and Alexandre Rosenberg

View All
View All