Plutarch's Vitae illustrium virorum

Plutarch's Vitae illustrium virorum
Bartholomaeus de Zanis, 1496
PLUTARCHUS (c.45-c.120). Vitae illustrium virorum. -SEXTUS Rufus. De historia Romana. Venice: Bartholomaeus de Zanis, 8 June 1496.

Illustrated edition of Plutarch’s Lives, in a contemporary Italian binding. This edition reuses the woodcut of Theseus fighting Eurytus (sometimes misidentified as the minotaur) from the first illustrated edition. HC 13130*; BMC V 432; BSB-Ink P-628; Bod-inc P-393; IGI 7924; Essling 595; Goff P-834; ISTC ip00834000

Chancery folio (309 x 203mm). 290 leaves. Full-page woodcut border, with large woodcut of Theseus fighting Eurytus, smaller woodcut initials (some light edge dampstaining, some spotting and toning, a few leaves with small holes in upper margin). Contemporary Italian quarter blindstamped morocco, remains of four straps, paper label on spine (upper board starting, chipped corners, very worn). Provenance: deleted ownership inscription on title, with faint partially-erased inscription on second leaf; other marginal comments in several hands, some corrections.