De expeditione sive rebus gestis Alexandri Macedonum Regis libri octo, nuper & reperti, & quam diligentissime in lucem editi.

Historiated woodcut initials, woodcut printers device on verso of final leaf. Roman and Greek type. 

8vo (160 x 100mm). 13, [643]pp. Contemporary limp vellum, title inked on spine (vellum varnished?, discoloured and scratched, spine chipped at head and tail, joints weak). 

Basel, n.p., n.d. [Robert Winter, 

The first volume of Winter's two-volume edition of Greek statesman, historian and soldier Arrian's (c.86-160 A.D.) magnum opus, the Anabasis of Alexander the Great, owned by humanist man of letters Andreas Aurifaber (1514-59). Edited by German humanist Nikolaus Gerbel, this volume contains the text in Greek; the second, not present here, provides the Latin translation. An important source on the Emperor's campaigns in Asia, Arrian drew on previous accounts of Alexander's exploits by Aristobulus - who accompanied Alexander - and Ptolemy.

Aurifaber's ownership inscription on the title page - 'sum Andrea Aurifabri 1539' and 'Eximia humanitate ac doctrina viro, M. Jacobo a Barthem, in paucis charo amico Andreas Aurifaber dd.' Humanist and physician to Albert of Brandenburg, Aurifaber was a contemporary of and corresponded with leading German humanists, in particular, Philip Melanchthon. He is also known for his involvement in the doctrinal controversy provoked by the views of his father-in-law, Andreas Osiander, on justification by faith. 

Sparse annotation in Latin later on in text, in what looks like Aurifaber's hand (see verso of L8, recto of O1). 

Closed tear to lower fore-corner of h3, not touching text. Occasional foxing and browning to top- and fore-edges.

VD16, A 3796. Adams, A 2009. Hoffman, 376-7. Schweiger, 67. 

Stock Code: 228225