Tacitus, Publius Cornelius

Chancery folio (255 x 170mm.), a fragment of 25 leaves (of 178), comprising leaves 153-162 (Germania) and 163-177 (Dialogus de claris oratoribus), [r¹⁰ s⁸ t1-7] (without blank leaf [t8]), 36 lines, roman type, 2- to 5-line initial spaces with printed guides, modern tan morocco, a few wormholes in gutter (some repaired), upper corner of last few leaves damaged and repaired

Gilhofer & Ranschburg, Luzern, catalogue 52 (1970), item 7; bought from Symonds in 1979 for £400, pencil note on rear flyleaf

Goff T6; HC 15218; BMC v 165; Bod-inc T-004; BSB-Ink T-9; GW M44712

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."

EDITIO PRINCEPS OF TACITUS'S GERMANIA AND DIALOGUS DE CLARIS ORATORIBUS. This edition also contained the texts of Annals XI-XVI and Histories, not present in this copy, but did not include Agricola. The ninth-century manuscript of Germania was rediscovered in the German abbey of Hersfeld in the early fifteenth century through the efforts of Poggio Bracciolini, and subsequently circulated widely in manuscript. Its publication led to the use of the word "Germani" to describe the peoples of the Holy Roman Empire.

This is one of the two earliest books to contain printed catchwords, the other being Spira's undated Philelphus, Epistolae, [before 6 October 1473]. While there is no colophon as such to this book, the last page of the Dialogus contains a four-line poem which includes the name "Spira".

For the 1515 edition which contained the additional books 1-6 of the Annals, see lot 79.