ORPHEUS. - Lot 110

ORPHEUS. Argonauticon opus Graecum, cum interpretatione Latina incerti autoris. Basel, Andreas Cratander, 1523. In-4, olive-green calf, wide cold-stamped border, large gilt fleuron in spandrel, gilt fleuron in center, ornate spine, red-speckled edges (English binding circa 1830). Basel edition of this mythological epic of over 1,300 verses, known as the Orphic Argonautics, the work of the legendary poet Orpheus. The editio princeps appeared in Florence in 1500 with the Junte family. Beautifully printed in Greek script for the original text, with the Latin translation, by the Italian humanist Leonardo Crivelli (Cribellius), printed in round letters opposite. The title is set in a fine woodcut frame. Cratander's large typographical mark occupies the verso of the last leaf. From the T. H. Passmore library (bookplate). Title slightly foxed, with reinforced outer edge on verso. Verso of last leaf slightly soiled, typographical mark slightly scratched. Spine and hinges restored.