[Works, Greek & Latin] Τα σωζομενα συγγραμματα... Quae extant opera, cum Latina intepretatione. [Geneva], Henri Estienne, 1572

£12,500 · Offered by Maggs Bros Ltd

Editio princeps of the complete works of Plutarch, holding not only the Greek text and Latin translation but also the extremely rare Index and volume XIII, which holds the Appendix . Already uncommon in his day, Renouard notes, “Ce dernier manque quelquefois, mais alors les douze autres ne sent plus qu’un livre imparfait ed déchu d’une grande partie de sa valeur”. Schreiber explains its importance, “With this edition Henri Estienne established the traditional order of the Lives and Moralia still universally followed today (e.g. in the Tuebner, Loeb and Budé series of classical texts). The Greek text is newly edited by Henri Estienne “who has corrected it in many places from ancient manuscript sources, and through conjectural emendation” (Schreiber) while the Latin translations are by Erasmus, Budé, Turnèbe, Cruser and others. This set is finely bound in red morocco and has a fascinating provenance, belonging to three English antiquarians and bibliophiles of the 17th to 19th centuries, and then to a notable Greek economist of the early 20th century. Provenance: 1. John Bridges (1666-1724), county historian, his signature on flyleaves, and Latin note of acquisition in vol. VII, bought in London from the bookseller Christopher Bateman for £4-10s on 13 July 1696, his sale, 1726, lot 34 (described as a lovely copy with gilt edges), £3-15-0. ODNB says of Bridges, “On 7 April 1708 he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society; in 1712 and 1715 he was voted on to the council. In commo

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