Dionysius Halicarnaseus

first edition, Chancery folio (302 x 209mm.), 300 leaves (the first blank), [a¹⁰ b-g⁸ h i⁶ k-z A-O⁸ P⁶], 37 lines, roman letter, capital spaces with guide letters, "i[n]superabilis" on [e]1 supplied in an early hand, some capitals supplied in red, eighteenth-century red morocco gilt, covers panelled in gilt with foliate corner- and centre-pieces, spine gilt in compartments, some pages torn at fore-edge where tabs have been removed, occasional dampstaining at edges, covers slightly marked, some wear to hinges and extremities

Goff D250; HC 6239*; BMC vi 895; Bod-inc D-096; GW 8423

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The translator, Lampo Birago (c. 1400-1472), was a native of Milan. In his postscript he states that he produced his version of what survives of Dionysius's Roman history, written in the first century BC, from two manuscripts owned by Pope Paul II (1464-1471), to whom he dedicated the work. The translation was probably made by 1469, the year when Paul II paid a scribe to make a copy of Dionysius (see R. Sabbadini, Lo scoperto dei codici greci e latini, 1905, p.65).

This is the first dated book to be produced at Celerius's Treviso shop. Previously he had printed single books at Venice and Padua and by the end of 1480 he was back at Venice.

BMC and GW record several variant settings which Goff categorizes into six issues, but it is not clear that any is a true indicator of difference of issue. Catchwords were generally set only on 1 verso, 2 verso, 3 verso and 8 verso of the eight-leaf quires, as a guide to the correct gathering of sheets.