Orsini fulvio editor (1 resultados)

8vo (165 x 101mm), pp. [xii], 387; old ownership inscription scraped away from either side of device on title page; head of title page (and a few other leaves) a little stained; else a fine copy, bound in late 18th century French red morocco, spine attractively gilt, and with olive morocco label; blue endpapers, gilt edges. First edition, and a fine copy. This important collection was compiled by Fulvio Orsini (1539-1600), humanist and archaeologist, patron of El Greco, and owner of a considerable library. Although he seldom left Rome, and never went to Antwerp, Orsini corresponded with Plantin and arranged the publication of this collection, which includes translations by Lorenzo Gambara (d. 1586). Orsini was librarian to Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, to whom he dedicated this work. The collection is advertised as including Greek poetry by illustrious women, notably Sappho, Erinna, Telesilla and Corinna, and their poetry was clearly the book's main selling point, as they occupy the first section. Few of Sappho's poems had been previously published, and her portrait (on p. 2) is the only illustration in the volume. The selection does, however, also include work by male poets who were already well-known, such as Anacreon, Bion and Moschus (the last two with translation and commentary by Gambara), Voet 917; Adams P1702; Brunet I 1585-6, 'vol. rare et recherché'. Letters between Orsini and Plantin survive in the Vatican archives. Provenance. Bookplate of A.G. du Plessis (with notes in French, perhaps in his hand, on the lower endpapers), and booksellers' labels of Nironi & Prandi (Reggio Emilia) and Leo Olschki (Florence). …