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The rare first Livius translation into Dutch printed in the Northern Netherlands

LIVIUS, Titus.
De Roomsche historie oft gesten, door den alder welsprekensten ende vernaemsten histori-schrijver Titum Livium beschreven. Waer uut niet alleen alle wereltlijcke staten tot vromicheyt ende ridderlijcke manlijcke feyten beweecht ende ghedronghen, maer oock alle ander staten tot grooter recreatien ende gheneuchten des herten ghetrocken sullen worden.

Large printer's device showing David and Goliath in an oval with the caption 'Hy heeft gewelt gedaen doer zynen arm en<I>de</I> de hoveerdige in haers herten gedachte<I>n </I>v<I>er</I>stroit' within richly decorated architectural border, repeated on the three part-titles, woodcut initials.

Large printer's device showing David and Goliath in an oval with the caption 'Hy heeft gewelt gedaen doer zynen arm en<I>de</I> de hoveerdige in haers herten gedachte<I>n </I>v<I>er</I>stroit' within richly decorated architectural border, repeated on the three part-titles, woodcut initials.

Large printer's device showing David and Goliath in an oval with the caption 'Hy heeft gewelt gedaen doer zynen arm en<I>de</I> de hoveerdige in haers herten gedachte<I>n </I>v<I>er</I>stroit' within richly decorated architectural border, repeated on the three part-titles, woodcut initials.

Large printer's device showing David and Goliath in an oval with the caption 'Hy heeft gewelt gedaen doer zynen arm en<I>de</I> de hoveerdige in haers herten gedachte<I>n </I>v<I>er</I>stroit' within richly decorated architectural border, repeated on the three part-titles, woodcut initials.



Leiden, Jan Paedts Jacobszoon & Jan Bouwenszoon, 1585. 4 parts in 1 vol. Folio. Contemporary full paneled calf over thick beveled wooden boards blind tooled with two decorated rolls, the outer one with the portraits of four reformers (Johann Friedrich, Philippus Melanchton, ....land?, and Luther), and the highly interesting inner one with three burlesque portraits within floral motives, dated 1571! ribbed spine and leather ties fastened to brass clasps. Large printer's device showing David and Goliath in an oval with the caption 'Hy heeft gewelt gedaen doer zynen arm ende de hoveerdige in haers herten gedachten verstroit' within richly decorated architectural border, repeated on the three part-titles, woodcut initials. (12) 301 ff.; Collation: *-2*6, A-3C6, 3D8-1 (last blank lacking).

Very rare first edition of this Dutch translation of Livius' monumental and well-known History of Rome, his Historiarum ad urbe condita, describing in four parts Rome's founding, traditionally dated to 753 BC, through the reign of Augustus (63 BC-14 AD). It originally was composed of 142 books, of which only 35 are still extant. The Roman historian Titus Livius (ca. 59 BC - AD 17) wrote in a mixture of annual chronology and narrative, often having to interrupt a story to announce the elections of new consuls, following the Romas chronology and era. The majority of the work was written during the reign of Augustus.
This edition - the first Livius translation into Dutch printed in the Northern Netherlands - was a joint venture of Jan Paedts Jacobszoon & Jan Bouwenszoon from Leyden and Laurens Jacobszoon from Amsterdam. Two issues exist: one mentioning Laurens Jacobszoon in the impressum and Jan Paedts Jacobszoon & Jan Bouwenszoon as printers in the colophon; the other with Jan Paedts Jacobszoon & Jan Bouwenszoon in the impressum and colophon (our copy). Both issues are very rare. The printer's device on the titles is that of Paedts and Bouwenszoon, which was used more often for jointly produced works. Le Long (Boek-zaal p. 741) states that the image and caption stand allegorically for the relief of Leyden in 1574.
The Roomsche historie was reprinted several times: in 1597 (also by Paedts & Bouwenszoon), 1614 (Amsterdam, Dirk Pietersz. Pers & Laurens Jacobszoon), 1635 (Amsterdam, Jan Evertsz. Cloppenburgh), 1646 (Deventer, Coenraet Thomassen for Thomas Jacobsen Sergeant from Amsterdam). The last edition with newly engraved title was published in 1650 by Gerrit Willemsen in Amsterdam.
Our translation into Dutch is only preceded by a Dutch translation which has its origins in Antwerp. On the instruction of bookseller and printer Jan Gymnick (ca. 1502-1568), an anonymous author has translated the 'Roman history' with the help of a contemporary German edition of the Latin original. This first Dutch text was printed in 1541 for Jan Gymnick by Jan Grapheus from Antwerp under the title Titus Livius, Dat is de Roemsche historie oft Gesten, doer den alderwelsprekensten ende vernaempsten historiscrivere Titum Livium bescreven ...

Very good copy in a very interesting contemporary binding.- (Binding and some lvs. restored; new endpaper, some marginal damp staining).
Moes-Burger I, 44; Typ. Bat. 3207-8 (both issues) & 3209 (1597-ed.); Leyden imprints p. 64; B. Besamusca & G. Sonnemans, De crumen diet volc niet eten en mochte. Nederlandse beschouwingen over vertalen tot 1550 (Vertaalhistorie 6), p. 123; Geerebaert CXV 1a; not in Adams.

Related Subjects: 16th Century  History  Latin  Leyden  Rome 

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