Binding.- Lucian of Samosata Opuscula Erasmo Roterodamo interprete, first Aldine edition, Venice

Binding.- Lucian of Samosata. Opuscula Erasmo Roterodamo interprete, first Aldine edition, collation: a-z8 aa-ff8 gg6, woodcut printer's device to title and final leaf verso, initial spaces with guide-letters, occurrences of 'Erasmus' scored through in ink throughout, title with small holes at head (loss of letters), closed tear (to blank margin) and ink stamp to foot, title and following leaf soiled and abraided with text loss (particularly a1v and a2r) seemingly once glued together, including small hole at gutter at a2, faint water-stains to peripheral leaves, in a Venetian binding by the Mendoza binder (Andrea di Lorenzo) of contemporary red morocco over pasteboard, gilt and blind fillet borders, central panels with foliate corner-pieces and arabesque centre-piece, author's name lettered in upper border, raised bands to spine with compartments tooled in blind and gilt, small stain lower cover, small chip to spine head, upper joint splitting at head but firm, edges gilt and gauffered, 8vo (165 x 93mm.), Venice, Heirs of Aldus Manutius and Andrea Torresano, May 1516.*** The first Aldine edition edited by Erasmus of Rotterdam, and, Saint Thomas More - this copy in a handsome contemporary binding, by Andrea di Lorenzo. Until recently known only by the name of his prominent patron, Spanish Ambassador de Mendoza, di Lorenzo has been recognised as "the finest and most inventive Venetian binder of the mid-sixteenth century" (Hobson/Culot, p.15). His clients also included J. Fugger, Granvelle, Grolier et al., and his craftsmanship and designs were imitated across Europe. This copy with interesting seemingly anti Erasmus censorship; erasure of his name and his dedicatory letter leaves once glued together. Rare in commerce. Provenance: Charles Carmichael Lacaita (1853-1933; noted botanist and politician) and his wife, Mary, of Selham, Sussex [bookplate]. Literature: Adams L1624; Ahmanson-Murphy 145; Edit16 CNCE 36166; Renouard Alde 76.2