P. Terentii Comoediae sex, tum ex Donati commentariis, tum ex ptimorum, praesertim veterim, exemplarium collatione, diligentius quam unquam antehac, emendatae. [...]. Parisiis: Ex Officina Robert Stephani, 1536, folio.
-------------------
A magnificent post-incunable imprint of Terence's Comedies from the important Parisian press of Robert Estienne, during the period of his royal printing license following his monumental 1528 Biblia Latina. A nice copy in an 18th century full calf binding.
EXTREMELY RARE. This imprint of Terence is famous for its mention of Erasmus' name on the title leaf, a rather controversial inclusion in the theological-political climate of the early Reformation and Counter-Reformation in Paris and a testament to Estienne's role in this pivotal time period. Of the various editions of Terence printed in the post-incunable period, this folio Estienne edition is the most desirable (Estienne also printed it in octavo). This is the second time Estienne printed in Terence, following the first a few years earlier in 1529, but this edition is more desirable for its innovative inclusion of division into acts and the attractive new Roman type which Renouard describes as "better" than the earlier edition. USTC records just 9 copies held institutionally worldwide.
-------------------
Size: 206 x 300 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(3), a-i8, lz8, A8, B5, (3)]
Circa 18th century full calf, boards with gilt panelled design, spine with repeating gilt in compartments between raised bands, marbled endpapers. Binding rubbed and worn, some losses to the leather, shelf and edge wear, prominent wear to joints, front board and first two blanks detached. Some old inscriptions to title leaf dated between 1687 and 1690, seemingly of English origin (Thomas Smith, Queen's College(?), 1690). Text mildly toned as typical, a few stains, some small worm tracks, a couple proceeding through most of the text block, but generally a very nice copy of this rare and desirable edition.
Collates as complete through the main text, but lacks the final leaf (B6) which would have been a blank with the printer's device verso.
[USTC 147028; Renouard, pp.47, 5; Adams T326]
