Bibliothecae historicae libri XVII.

Gryphius' fine device on title-page, woodcut initials, printed in italic, ruled in red throughout. 

16mo (128 x 80mm). 1127pp. Contemporary Lyonese binding of smooth calf over paste boards, covers with a single gilt fillet and central gilt ornament, spine with four raised bands with a gilt rosette in each, gilt edges (foot of spine and corners with old repair, some marks to covers, spine cracked, developed into tear at head and foot).

Lyon, Seb. Gryphe,

Handsomely bound in Lyonese calf, this pocket edition of Diodorus' popular text, translated by humanist and polymath Poggio Bracciolini (1380-1459) is printed in Gryphius' fine italic type. His Greek history was written in 40 books, although only the first five books and books 11-20 are still extant, while the remainder exists only in fragments in the works of Photius. The work was originally written in three parts, beginning with the mythical history of non-Hellenic and then Hellenic tribes up to the fall of Troy. The second part takes the history to the death of Alexander, and the third part ends with the Gallic Wars of Julius Caesar. Diodorus 'was an uncritical compiler, but used good sources and reproduced them faithfully' (Loeb). 

Provenance: Inscription at end 'hic liber attinet ad me Claudium Coquard scholasticum Castellionensem 1643', and on p. 657, 'a moy Claude Coquard'.

Short tear on xx2, not affecting text.

Adams D471. Baudrier VIII, p. 259. Hoffmann I, 560. 

Stock Code: 216018