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LOT 59

De vita et moribus philosophorum

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De vita et moribus philosophorum
Anton Koberger, not after 1473
BURLAEUS, Gualtherus (Pseudo?, c.1275-1344). De vita et moribus philosophorum. [Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, not after 1473.]

Third book printed by Koberger, and first edition of the “South German” recension of an important work of Classical reception. Long attributed to English logician Walter Burley, this treatise is a Medieval update to the ancient compilations of Lives by authors like Diogenes Laertes (indeed, some manuscripts containing it have been misdescribed as Laertes’s text). Borrowing not only from ancient sources but Medieval encyclopedists like Vincent of Beauvais and John of Wales, it contains short biographies of 120 poets and philosophers including Archimedes, Virgil, Zoroaster, Homer, Plotinus, Priscian, Seneca, and even Hermes Trismegistus. This edition belongs to a group of five of the earliest books printed by Anton Koberger, among which priority has recently been established on the basis of paper evidence. H 4112*; GW 5785; BMC II 411; BSB-Ink B-993; Bod-inc B-610; Goff B-1319; ISTC ib01319000. See also J.I. Freeman, “Anton Koberger's First Books,” Princeton University Library Chronicle 55 (1994), pp. 308-322.

Chancery folio (282 x 201mm). 91 leaves (of 94, without first and last two blanks). Large painted initial with pigment oxidized; smaller 4-2 line initials in red and blue throughout, red capital strokes and underlining (first leaf remargined at inner gutter, repaired tear affecting 3 lines on text on one leaf; small repaired tear on final blank; some occasional spots and stains throughout). Modern brown morocco.

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[ translate ]

De vita et moribus philosophorum
Anton Koberger, not after 1473
BURLAEUS, Gualtherus (Pseudo?, c.1275-1344). De vita et moribus philosophorum. [Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, not after 1473.]

Third book printed by Koberger, and first edition of the “South German” recension of an important work of Classical reception. Long attributed to English logician Walter Burley, this treatise is a Medieval update to the ancient compilations of Lives by authors like Diogenes Laertes (indeed, some manuscripts containing it have been misdescribed as Laertes’s text). Borrowing not only from ancient sources but Medieval encyclopedists like Vincent of Beauvais and John of Wales, it contains short biographies of 120 poets and philosophers including Archimedes, Virgil, Zoroaster, Homer, Plotinus, Priscian, Seneca, and even Hermes Trismegistus. This edition belongs to a group of five of the earliest books printed by Anton Koberger, among which priority has recently been established on the basis of paper evidence. H 4112*; GW 5785; BMC II 411; BSB-Ink B-993; Bod-inc B-610; Goff B-1319; ISTC ib01319000. See also J.I. Freeman, “Anton Koberger's First Books,” Princeton University Library Chronicle 55 (1994), pp. 308-322.

Chancery folio (282 x 201mm). 91 leaves (of 94, without first and last two blanks). Large painted initial with pigment oxidized; smaller 4-2 line initials in red and blue throughout, red capital strokes and underlining (first leaf remargined at inner gutter, repaired tear affecting 3 lines on text on one leaf; small repaired tear on final blank; some occasional spots and stains throughout). Modern brown morocco.

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