1st Jannon edition of Martial, 1624, fine binding
FINE BINDING & TYPOGRAPHY. - MARTIAL. [Marcus Valerius MARTIALIS].
Epigrammaton libri, animadversi, emendati, et commentariolus luculenter explicati. [by Thomas Farnaby]. Sedan: Jean Jannon, 1624. 8vo (6 5/8 x 4 1/4 inches; 170 x 110mm). Pp. [i-viii, 1-]342, [i-ii], woodcut printer's device to title, a few woodcut head-pieces and initials, includes final blank Y8. Condition of book-block: V3 with small triangular section torn away from outer blank corner, clean repaired tear in final blank, otherwise excellent. 17th-century calf, spine in six compartments with raised bands, spine lettered in gilt in the second compartment, the others with repeat decoration in gilt, covers with gilt ruled and roll-tool border. Condition of binding: excellent, almost immaculate (apart from light bumping and rubbing to corners). Provenance: Noel Claye (early inscription ‘Ex libris natalis Clay [or Claye ?] manentis / Drobi’ on front free endpaper).
The best available copy of the beautiful First Jannon edition of Martial’s scintillating epigrams, including the rare final blank and presented in a contemporary binding in remarkable condition: overall this work stands as a fitting monument to French typography in general, more particularly to Protestant book production, whilst specifically spotlighting Jean Jannon’s ‘la petite Sedanosie’ – allegedly the smallest type (4.9 points) created since the invention of printing. Brunet III, p. 1491; STC of French Books in the Library of the British Museum, 521; Palau, V, 49 ("Edición notable por la nitidez de los pequeños caracteres usados en su impresión").
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FINE BINDING & TYPOGRAPHY. - MARTIAL. [Marcus Valerius MARTIALIS].
Epigrammaton libri, animadversi, emendati, et commentariolus luculenter explicati. [by Thomas Farnaby]. Sedan: Jean Jannon, 1624. 8vo (6 5/8 x 4 1/4 inches; 170 x 110mm). Pp. [i-viii, 1-]342, [i-ii], woodcut printer's device to title, a few woodcut head-pieces and initials, includes final blank Y8. Condition of book-block: V3 with small triangular section torn away from outer blank corner, clean repaired tear in final blank, otherwise excellent. 17th-century calf, spine in six compartments with raised bands, spine lettered in gilt in the second compartment, the others with repeat decoration in gilt, covers with gilt ruled and roll-tool border. Condition of binding: excellent, almost immaculate (apart from light bumping and rubbing to corners). Provenance: Noel Claye (early inscription ‘Ex libris natalis Clay [or Claye ?] manentis / Drobi’ on front free endpaper).
The best available copy of the beautiful First Jannon edition of Martial’s scintillating epigrams, including the rare final blank and presented in a contemporary binding in remarkable condition: overall this work stands as a fitting monument to French typography in general, more particularly to Protestant book production, whilst specifically spotlighting Jean Jannon’s ‘la petite Sedanosie’ – allegedly the smallest type (4.9 points) created since the invention of printing. Brunet III, p. 1491; STC of French Books in the Library of the British Museum, 521; Palau, V, 49 ("Edición notable por la nitidez de los pequeños caracteres usados en su impresión").
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