Cato's Disticha

Cato's Disticha
Anton Sorg, 1475
CATO, Dionysius (c.3rd-4th centuries CE). Disticha de moribus. With part of the commentary by Robertus de Euremodio. –PHILIPPUS DE BERGAMO (1434-1520). Speculum regiminis. Augsburg: [Anton Sorg,] 2 November 1475.

First dated edition of the Disticha Catonis and first edition of the Speculum regiminis. This popular Latin textbook, attributed to Dionysius Cato, taught generations of school children from the Middle Ages into the modern period. Chaucer mentions it and Benjamin Franklin probably learned from it at Boston Latin School. Philippus of Bergamo's treatise constitutes most of the book and is really an original work rather than just a commentary on Cato. The present edition was printed by Anton Sorg in the first year of his independent activity with a type-fount taken over from the press at the Monastery of Saints Ulrich and Afra; it is preceded only by the protypographical editions of Utrecht, of which just fragments survive. HC 4711*; BMC II 342; BSB-Ink D-189; GW 6277; Bod-inc C-126; Goff C-292; ISTC ic00292000.

Chancery folio (295 x 205mm). 484 leaves. Red pearled initials, red capital strokes (a few faint dampstains and spots, one leaf with chip to blank area, a few wormholes, final leaf light soiled with repairs around edges). 19th-century blindstamped russia, morocco title labels, edges gilt (rebacked preserving most of original spine, extremities lightly worn). Provenance: a few marginal comments – removed bookplate on front board – acquired from Lathrop C. Harper, Inc, New York, 14 June 1955.