Author: [Aelian] Aelianus, Claudius:

Title: [...] Cl. Aeliani Sophistae Varia Historia, Cum Notis Integris Conradi Gesneri, Johannis Schefferi, Tanaquilli Fabri, Joachimi Kuhnii, Jacob Perizonii, & interpretatione Latina Justi Vulteii [...] Curante Abrahamo Gronovio [...]

Publication: Lugd. Bat. [Leiden] Amstelodami {Amsterdam] Roterodami [Rotterdam] Ultrajecti [Utrecht] Hagae [The H 1731

Description: 2 vols. 4to. pp. [98], 1-640, [2], 641-1056, [160] + added prize book leaf. With half title, engraved title, printed title pages in red and black, and occasional small engraved text illustrations. Minor traces of adhesive at gutter of half-title, engraved title slightly adhering to title at gutter, slight toning, clean tear from edge to blank margin of second k4. 19th-century polished tree calf, marbled endpapers, single gilt ruled, gilt inscription 'Praemium gymnasii Franequerani MDCCCXLIX' to upper covers, spine gilt, gilt-lettered morocco label. Extremities of spine minimally rubbed. Prize book certificate of Franeker dated 1849 tipped-in at front of vol. I, addressed to Hector van Sminia and signed by the Rector.

'An admirable edition'. Included in the list of best quarto variorum editions provided by Dibdin in the 3rd edition of his 'Introduction to the Classics'. This prize book was awarded to the Frisian Hector van Sminia, whose namesake ancestor was ennobled in 1816. He was a student at the gymnasium of Franeker. That an 18th-century book was rebound and presented as a prize by the school suggest this may have once been in the library of the University of Franeker, closed down by Napoleon in 1811, and later in the Athenaeum established in its place until 1843.

Bibliography: Dibdin I, 231; Schweiger I, 3; Hoffmann I, 13.

Reference Number: [53361]

Price: £400

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