200
S.F. Bookfair
N + N Pavlov Feb. 85
Bobbs Ferry, N.Y. $12
Macrobius, Aurelius Theodosius. (fl. with A.D. 400)
In somnium Scipionis expositio. Saturnalia.
Venice: Nicolaus Jenson, 1472 folio (314x211mm)
Ref: Goff M8 HCR 10426 BMC V 172. Pr 4085
Cop: HEHL, PML. IGI 5923. p 104
Brunet III, 1285.
166 leaves, I, 165 + 166 Blank. 3a; 4 col. 227x137 mm
Types: 115 R; 115 Gk*. Capital spaces with guide letters;
also spaces left for diagrams + acc. for Greek gustalions.
(314x211mm) large text type. Single Qu. The Type was used
exclusively until 1473, + acc afterwards.
*lower case only, with accents + breathings + sqare in
appearance. 1st employed in 1472, 2 regularly used
afterwards.
editio princeps.
Jenson first appears as a printer in 1470, in which year he
produced 4 books. His press was very active in 1401,
much less so in the next few years, but in 1475
resumed its steady output + continued until 19 July 1480,
shortly before Jenson's death which appears to have
been in the following Sept.
The 1st work, a commentary on the "somnium ciceronis"
narrated by Cicero in his "de Republica" is of interest in that
the author deals with many points of physics in a series of
essays showing thethe astronomical notions than current. this ed.
is illust. with interesting diagrams + curious circular
"mappa monde" which omits the names of the windes + reverses
the positions of the East + West. The 2nd work, the Saturnalia,
is the greater part of the Volume + contains a variety of
curious historical + mythological perorations. It was written by
the author for the benefit of his son + represents an account of
the discussions held at the house of a Roman citizen during
the holiday of Saturnalia.
EN