Sophoclis Tragoediae Septem Cum Commentariis interpretationum argumenti Thebaidos Fabularum Sophoclis, authore Ioachimo Camerario Qu iam recens natis atq; editis. Haganoae: ex Officina Seceriana [Johann Erben], 1534, 8vo.
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THE RARE FOURTH EDITION OF SOPHOCLES IN GREEK; it follows the famous type and text of the 1502 editio princeps printed by Aldus. We can trace just one other copy in auction records, being part one only (of two) at Christies 16 Feb 2006 lot 74. Though well represented institutionally with the USTC recording 49 copies (with just two copies in the US), it is the rarest of the early Sophocles editions in commerce. The present copy is handsome, preserved complete with both parts and in an attractive contemporary vellum binding. The famous 1568 Estienne edition refers to this 1534 edition, particularly the humanist commentary by the greatest classics scholar of the age, Joachim Camerarius. The Christie's copy lacked the scholia of Camerarius.
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Size: 121 x 169 mm (approx.)
Condition:
Contemporary full blindstamped vellum over wooden boards, decorated with very attractive tools and pictorial panel stamps, lacks clasps, both boards securely attached, rubbed and worn, some losses at corners and edges, but generally an exceptionally well preserved copy externally. Complete with both parts bound into one, both parts with the printer's devices at the end with 228 unnumbered leaves comprising part one and 95 numbered leaves comprising the second part. Old name inscription to front pastedown, front endpaper, and title leaf, some marginalia throughout, evidently a working copy with numerous annotations and notes, exclusively through the first part as expected. Text block toned, some spotting, else a lovely copy of this rare edition.
[VD16 S 7032; USTC 694171].
