Athens, Onassis Library (GR)
: ΟΥΜ 54
ISTC No.ia00924000
AuthorApollonius Rhodius
TitleArgonautica [Greek]. With the Scholia of Lucillus, Sophocles, and Theon. Ed: Janus Lascaris
ImprintFlorence : [Laurentius (Francisci) de Alopa, Venetus], 1496
Format4°
Languagegrc
SubjectLiterature
Keywordscommentary; poetry
Periodclassical
Description of Copy
Copy Id02015909
Holding InstitutionAthens, Onassis Library (GR)
ShelfmarkΟΥΜ 54
NoteEditio princeps of this Greek epic, written in the third century BC. This text is based on a tenth century manuscript (the now famous Codex laurentianus XXXII 9), which also included seven plays by Sophocles and six by Aeschylus, discovered by Giovanni Aurispa during his 'book buying' trip in the Levant in 1421-23.
The text, with the scholia of Lucillus, Sophocles and Theon, was edited by Janus Lascaris, 'arguably the greatest of all Greek scholars of the first generation after the Fall of Constantinople', (Barker, p.15). He established his own press for the printing of Greek texts in Florence, with the assistance of Lorenzo di Alopa as his printer. His distinctive typeface of small inscriptional capitals was very easy to read (particularly here, where it clearly distinguishes the main text from the commentary) compared with the standard intricacies of Greek typography. The date of Alopa's Greek venture overlaps with Aldus's, and indeed Lascaris's pupil Marcus Musurus became one of Aldus's main editors of Greek texts.
Notecreated by Vasiliki Vichou
Physical Description171 leaves (of 172, without final blank leaf). α-θ λ κ-φ8 χ4, 28 lines of text,
Size of leaves232 × 169 mm
Copy FeaturesComplete
Support material (book)Paper
Provenance
1892
PlaceAlthorp, Northamptonshire (Geonames ID: 7296694)
Areae-uk-en
Time period - 1892
Provenance TypeBibliographic Evidence
NoteBased on Bibliotheca Spenceriana : or a descriptive catalogue of the books printed in the fifteenth century, and of many valuable first editions, in the library of George John Earl Spencer ; 1 / by Dibdin, Thomas Frognall (1814). p. 252-253.
Method of acquisitionunknown
Binding noteBound in red morocco
Binding date18th cent.
Cover materialLeather
Binding statusRebound
Binding Dimensions238 × 171 × 35 mm
ToolingBlind
EdgesUncoloured
Writing on edgesNone
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered uncertain
SourceBibliography
Provenance
1900 -
PlaceManchester (Geonames ID: 2643123)
Areae-uk-en
Time period1900 -
Provenance nameManchester, John Rylands University Library, 1900- [Corporate body; Former Owner] (Library, No characterisation/lay) Spencer's library on its sale in 1892, it was acquired by Mrs. Rylands and became one of the cornerstones of the John Rylands Library which she established in Manchester in memory of her husband.
Provenance TypeBibliographic Evidence
NoteBooks from the John Rylands University Library of Manchester [ Sotheby's, auction catalogue, sale date: 14 April, 1988]
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceAuction / Sales Catalogue
Provenance
1970 -
2009
PlaceAthens (Geonames ID: 264371)
Areae-gr
Time period1970 - 2009
Provenance TypeExlibris
NoteBookplate pasted on front pastedown with the script "Ex libris Κ. Σπ. Στάικος" (in greek)
Method of acquisitionPurchase
certaintya
psourcea
provenance
2009 -
placenameAthens (Geonames ID: 264371)
areae-gr
timeperiod2009 -
provenanceType1
noteBookplate pasted on front pastedown with the script "Κοινωφελές Ίδρυμα Αλέξανδρος Σ. Ωνάσης Εκ της Βιβλιοθήκης" (in greek)
methodofacqa
certaintya
psourcea
otherInformation
completeness1
Last Edit2017-03-11 15:16:15