Plato's Opera

Plato's Opera
Bernardino de Choris de Cremona and Simon de Luero for Andreas Torresanus, 1491.
PLATO (c.428-347). Opera. Translated with commentary by Marsilio Ficino, and his Theologia platonica. Venice: Bernardino de Choris de Cremona and Simon de Luero for Andreas Torresanus, 13 August 1491.

Second edition of the complete works of Plato, in Latin translation by Marsilio Ficino. After the first edition produced twenty-six pages of errata, this edition “pleased Ficino with its typographical correctness” (Ford). The importance of the translation and dissemination of the Platonic dialogues to the transformation of Renaissance thought cannot be overstated. Also included here is the second edition of Ficino’s masterpiece: the Theologia platonica, first printed in 1482, which attempts to harmonize Platonic philosophy with Christian theology in order to create “religion which would join wisdom and faith” (Hankins). Thus, this edition brings together the most important Renaissance interpretation of Platonism alongside its fundamental texts. HC 13063*; BMC V 465; BSB-Ink P-569; Bod-inc P-346; IGI 7861; Klebs 785.2; Goff P-772; ISTC ip00772000; Ford BPH 159.

Chancery folio (310 x 210mm). 448 leaves. Greek and Roman types. (Some faint dampstaining especially at end, occasional wormholes, marginal paper repair just touching text to final leaf.) Contemporary stamped calf with early ink inscription in top panel, title in ink on bottom edge (lacking clasps, endpapers renewed, some wear and chips to spine and corners, small repair to corner). Provenance: contemporary marginalia in several hands, especially to Phaedo, Menexenus, Laws, and the letters – Charles C. Kalbfleisch (1868-1943, American collector; morocco monogram label; his New York, Parke-Bernet, 10 January 1944, lot 735).