From Editio Altera, Bronxville, NY, U.S.A.
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AbeBooks Seller since April 26, 2022
About this Item
8vo. [13.9 x 9.7 cm]. (16), 415 pp, (1). With woodcut printer s device on title-page and a handful of large woodcut initials in text. An attractive copy, meticulously bound to style modern blind-rolled calf with Erasmus / 1537 in gilt on front and rear covers respectively; all edges gilt. Scattered, but often extensive 16th century annotations alongside occasional underlining; annotations sometimes faded and trimmed. Rare edition of Erasmus classic early pedagogical work, here in a finely-bound copy with some extensive examples of contemporary annotation. "The work is probably based on a first stage of the essay dashed off in haste to satisfy the wishes of his student Robert Fisher, who was setting out for Italy and had need of a simple manual perhaps for the composition of letters of presentation while abroad… "After presenting his own teaching method, Erasmus launches into a merciless tirade against the brutality and stupidity of the teachers of his day… It might well be considered the definitive work on the subject, much more elaborate than anything that had preceded it." (Fantazzi, pp. 9-10). Approximately 65 pages show annotation, perhaps a further 35 with underlining. The first edition was brought out in 1522, and enjoyed immediate popularity; the present edition proves to be rare in census. VD16 shows six copies, while OCLC adds three US libraries (St John s, Cornell, Indiana) and a copy in Toronto. * Van der Haeghen, Bibliotheca Erasmiana Ser. 1, p. 56; VD16 E 2519; Bezzel, Erasmusdrucke no. 616; and cf Fantazzi (ed.), De conscribendis epistolis: critical edition with introduction, translation, and annotation (1989), pp. 9-14. Seller Inventory # D0201
Bibliographic Details
Title: Opus de Conscribendis Epistolis, ex postrema...
Publisher: Johannes Gymnich, Cologne
Publication Date: 1537
Edition: 1st Edition
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