ANAKPEONTOåTHIOY MELH. [Odaria.] Praefixo Commentario quo Poëtae Genus Traditur et Bibliotheca Anacreonteia Adumbratur. Additis Var. Lect.
Anacreon.
Parma: in aedibvs Palatinis [Giambattista Bodoni]: 1791. One of 150 paper copies, according to Brooks. Brooks states that there were also twelve copies on a vellum-like wove paper. The poems, in Greek, are followed by various readings, then commentary in Latin Greek, Roman, and Italic types, printed in upper ca Two small stipple portraits on title-page and dedication. Printed on heavy paper with an “FP” watermark, horizontal chainlines. Text block is 20 mm. thick. Spine a bit rubbed, with some of the gold flaked off. Tip of one endpaper repaired, and a few other minor repairs. Occasional very light foxing, but a beautiful, wide-margined copy, in very good condition. Contemporary Etruscan-style calf with covers and spine decoratively paneled in gilt, sunburst design in center of both covers, gilt black morocco spine label. Red paste-paper endpapers, all edges gilt. Octavo. 3 ” x 5 5/ [6], 111, [1], CXVII pp. (Item ID: 15089)
$2,000.00
The British Library site shows pictures of several bindings that are very similar to this one, including one of a 1791 Bodoni imprint of The Castle of Otranto with a similar sunburst design in the middle. That book is part of the Charles Ramsden Collection of Signed Bindings, and is attributed to Edwards of Halifax. The present binding may be an Edwards of Halifax binding, as well. At the very least, it is in the style of Halifax. (See the British Museum bookbindings site, keyword "Etruscan."). Giani states that there were 200 copies on “vergata ducale” and twelve on another paper. A knowledgeable customer believes that there were fifty copies printed on this thick laid paper, and 150 on a thinner paper.
Brooks 422. Giani 17. Blumenthal, Art of the Printed Book 1455-1955, 82. Ramsden, London Book Binders, p. 62.
