farfel_n04_025_233

Gruninger developed & 1st used the method of combining small
woodcut illustrations into various groupings in this
work. Many of these same blocks are also included
in his Horace of 1498. (See # 434)
The career of J. Gruninger spanned nearly 50 years from 1483 - 1532
but it was with the fine series of illust. books produced around
the turn of the century on which his fame mainly rests
(Terence, Horace, Virgil, Boethius.) -Aug.25, 1501
(See 434 March 12 1498) (Aug 28 1502 See #356) - 1st ed - these notable illust. & 1st ed.
- Sebastian Brant's commentary "The Virgil is the finest book of
the 3 classical ed. of Gruninger & the printer did not resort to
the ugly economy of composite blocks as in the 2 preceding
(Horace & Terence)" Hind.
-Text & commentary are both in roman types & only the large
text type & the interlinear gloss are in gothic.
Sebastian Brant was the editor of both the Boethius & the
Virgil, but it is highly probable that he had a hand in the
production of the Horace & the Terence.
- of the 158 illust. scenes in the book, only 1 was not made up
of a combination of some of the 82 separate woodcuts
available. 135 identical in all copies, but in 22 instances
the woodcuts differ.
-T101 Gruninger, 11 Feb 1499 Polain 3670 BMC I, 113 2nd Latin ed.
T-107 " , 5 March 1499 BMC I, 113 - German.
The Phormio, or A Parasite's Brains to the rescue, dramatises the help
in love rendered to 2 youths who are cousins. The Parasite Phormio, in
collusion - Antipho, one cousin, engineers a legal quirk by wich Antipho
recieves an order of court to marry a pretty & lonely mourner - whom he
has fallen in love. Cousin Phaedria is desperately fond of a music girl, but
as desperately devoid of means. Phornio's smartness in getting money
& the double life lead by Antipho's uncle, Chremes, (?) happiness
for the youth. Sympathy is - the parasite when old Chremes, by
endeavering to maltreat him, brings about merited exposure
in the eyes of his wife.