HYGINUS, CAIUS JULIUS. C.64 BCE-17 ADE.

Poeticon astronomicon. Edited by Jacobus Sentinus and Johannes Lucilius Santritter. Venice: Thomas de Blavis de Alexandria, 7 June 1488.

Poeticon astronomicon. Edited by Jacobus Sentinus and Johannes Lucilius Santritter. Venice: Thomas de Blavis de Alexandria, 7 June 1488.
4to (194 x 150 mm). 56 leaves, 33-34 lines. Types 5:84R, 6:70G, 7:61G, 48 woodcut illustrations and diagrams, numerous woodcut initials. Later limp vellum; cloth chemise and slipcase. Upper spine end repaired, d4 torn with old repair, some light staining, minor worming to inner margins of a few leaves.

Early edition. The woodcuts are attributed to Santritter (c.1460-1498) and are among the earliest printed representation of constellations. This edition is based on that of Ratdolt, copying its woodcuts which were based on medieval manuscript sources. The text is attributed to Hyginus was first published in an unillustrated edition in Ferrara in 1475. BMC V, 318; Goff H-562; GW 13680; HC 9064.