Conrad Peutinger's copy.- Bible, Greek.- Tes Kaines

Conrad Peutinger's copy.- Bible, Greek.- Tes Kaines Diathekes Apanta [graece], Novum Testamentum, 2 parts in 1, first Estienne edition, first issue (with October in colophon), collation: a-z, A-K; aa-zz8, titles Greek and Roman type, text Greek type, titles with woodcut basilisk devices, woodcut decorative initials and head-pieces, colophon f. with woodcut printer's device verso, lacking final 2 blanks, occasional spotting, very lightly browned, later calf, spine in compartments and with later morocco label and gilt lettering, joints splitting, but holding, g.e., 16mo (127 x 77mm.), Paris, Robert Estienne, [October], 1546.

⁂ The first Estienne Greek New Testament with an attractive provenance. It is the first book printed in Claude Garamond's second and smallest 'grecs du roi'. Estienne established his text by comparing the Complutensian and Erasmian printed editions with several manuscripts. 'The first Estienne Greek Testament and the second of 1549...are commonly known as the "O mirificam" editions, from the opening words of Robert's preface to François I, praising him for commissioning the second Greek font in order to provide Greek texts in pocket format' (Schreiber). Our copy bearing a note on title by Conrad Peutinger recording the volume as a gift from Johannes Rana. Peutinger (1465-1547) German humanist, book collector, correspondent of Erasmus, diplomat, politician and economist.

Provenance: 'Joannes ?Rana Chuonrado pio Peutinger suo dono dedit'; (inscription in red ink to foot of title); 'Bought (through Quaritch) at Crawford Sale- Sotheby's June 1887 - £- 10s. H.C. Hoskier'; 'Henry W. Moule from H.C. Hoskier', 18/-, Feb.3.1930' (ink inscriptions to front free endpaper).

Literature: Adams B1656; D&M 4616; Mortimer, French, 74; Renouard, Estienne, 65:2 (second issue); Schreiber, The Estiennes, 90 (second issue).