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Dedicated to two young boys as a paradigm of the lessons of life
OVID.Metamorphoses, Argumentis Brevioribus ex Luctatio Grammatico collectis expositae: una cum vivis singularum Transformationum iconibus in aes incisis.      Antwerp, Ex off. Plantiniana, Widow and Jan Moretus, (1591). Oblong 16mo. 18th century calf, spine ribbed and richly gilt, with red title-label, red painted edges. With richly illustrated etched title, full-page etched portrait of Ovid within grotesque ornamental borders, full-page etched printer's device at the end, and 178 full-page fine etched plates by Pieter van der Borcht. 362, (20, 2 blank) pp. First illustrated edition of a long forgotten juvenile. A pseudo-Donatus from the 4th century and a pseudo Lactantius from the 6th century. This anonymous adaptation for children of the stories of Ovid's "Metamorphoses" had been ascribed in medieval times to the influential grammarian Aelius Donatus, and it often accompanied his "Ars Minor" as a basic reading text in manuscript school books. Indeed all early printed editions of this text appeared under his name. During the 6th century responsibility for the work gradually shifted to the shadowy commentator, Lactantius Placidus, who is here referred to on the title. Bretzigheimer exploded both these attributions in 1937 and transferred authorship to a yet unknown pedagogue. The printer dedicated the present beautifully etched school book to two young boys, Luis and Martin Perez de Baron, as a paradigm of the lessons of life: an intention reinforced by Cornelis Kiliaen's introductionary Neo-Latin poem. This tiny oblong gem has long been one of the most sought-after Renaissance illustrated books, but has been entirely overlooked by the historians of juvenile literature, who, understandably, failed to connect the crowded gothic-type quarto text of the late and early 16th century with this splendid and sophisticated production. Delen praises it as "Une oeuvre importante et typique de Van der Borcht", and stresses the expressiveness, grace and fluidity of the figures. Fine copy with ample margins.- (Sl. thumbed at the beginning).
Belg. Typogr. 3913; STC Dutch p. 164; Adams O 505; Funck 374-375 Delen II, 92-93; Hollstein III, 100 nrs. between 200-377; cf. Bretzigheimer, Studien zu Lactantius Placidus und der Verfasser der Narrationes Fabularum Ovidianarum, 1937; NUC lists three copies.
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All items are offered subject to prior sale. Prices are nett and in (€) EURO. VAT/BTW, postage, and insurance are not included.
Free shipping for orders over € 2,500. EU customers: if applicable, please quote your VAT number when placing orders.
Preferred mode of payment: by credit card through our secure online payment service, which is facilitated by Ogone. If you wish to make other arrangements, please contact us. Terms of sale
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