8th Feb, 2024 11:00
The Oxford Library Sale
563
Incunable (Parrhasius / Seripando copy): Hyginus, Gaius Julius Poetica astronomica. Venice, Erhard Ratdolt, 22 January 1485. Third edition (previous editions in 1475 and 1482), quarto, 55 printed leaves of 32 lines. Later binding of blind-tooled black calf, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt (200 x 160 mm). Text in Latin. See ISTC ih00561000.
COLLATION: a–g8 but lacking sig. a1 (which should have blank recto and ‘Scemmus sphęręcina…’ diagram to verso). Preceding sig. a2 here is a blank folio with handwritten title (does not match the watermark of sig. a8). 47 half-page woodcut illustrations depicting constellations and zodiac signs.
DECORATION: Decorative woodcut initials throughout with later(?) hand colouring (variously gold on lilac, pink, green, and/or blue). Later(?) decorative border in lilac, pink, green, and gold to sig. a2r, including a heraldic shield. Blue paraphs in approx. the first half.
PROVENANCE: Formerly owned by the Italian humanists Aulus Janus Parrhasius (1470-1522) and Antonio Seripando (1486-1531). Washed but legible ownership inscription to sig. g8r: ‘Antonij Seripandi ex Iani Parrhasij testamento’. Further washed annotations throughout (often still legible but some trimmed). Radcliffe Observatory Oxford stamp. Pencil notes. Handwritten note adhered to endpaper: ‘… An elementary treatise on astronomy and the myths connected with the stars, chiefly based on Aratus and Eratosthenes. The editions are Jacobus Sentinus and Johannes Lucilius Santritter. A fine incunable with many attractive woodcuts …’. Further handwritten notes loosely enclosed.
CONDITION: Leather slightly scuffed. Browning, worming, and repairs to paper (the repairs often affect a few letters per page). Wear and cracking to decoration, with occasional holes due to corrosion[?]. Staining throughout, connected with both the repairs and the decoration. [Condition report edited 19/1/24].
Provenance: John. P. Love Collection
Incunable (Parrhasius / Seripando copy): Hyginus, Gaius Julius Poetica astronomica. Venice, Erhard Ratdolt, 22 January 1485. Third edition (previous editions in 1475 and 1482), quarto, 55 printed leaves of 32 lines. Later binding of blind-tooled black calf, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt (200 x 160 mm). Text in Latin. See ISTC ih00561000.
COLLATION: a–g8 but lacking sig. a1 (which should have blank recto and ‘Scemmus sphęręcina…’ diagram to verso). Preceding sig. a2 here is a blank folio with handwritten title (does not match the watermark of sig. a8). 47 half-page woodcut illustrations depicting constellations and zodiac signs.
DECORATION: Decorative woodcut initials throughout with later(?) hand colouring (variously gold on lilac, pink, green, and/or blue). Later(?) decorative border in lilac, pink, green, and gold to sig. a2r, including a heraldic shield. Blue paraphs in approx. the first half.
PROVENANCE: Formerly owned by the Italian humanists Aulus Janus Parrhasius (1470-1522) and Antonio Seripando (1486-1531). Washed but legible ownership inscription to sig. g8r: ‘Antonij Seripandi ex Iani Parrhasij testamento’. Further washed annotations throughout (often still legible but some trimmed). Radcliffe Observatory Oxford stamp. Pencil notes. Handwritten note adhered to endpaper: ‘… An elementary treatise on astronomy and the myths connected with the stars, chiefly based on Aratus and Eratosthenes. The editions are Jacobus Sentinus and Johannes Lucilius Santritter. A fine incunable with many attractive woodcuts …’. Further handwritten notes loosely enclosed.
CONDITION: Leather slightly scuffed. Browning, worming, and repairs to paper (the repairs often affect a few letters per page). Wear and cracking to decoration, with occasional holes due to corrosion[?]. Staining throughout, connected with both the repairs and the decoration. [Condition report edited 19/1/24].
Provenance: John. P. Love Collection
CONDITION: Leather slightly scuffed. Browning, worming, and repairs to paper (the repairs often affect a few letters per page). Wear and cracking to decoration, with occasional holes due to corrosion[?]. Staining throughout, connected with both the repairs and the decoration. [Condition report edited 19/1/24].
Disclaimer: whilst we seek to describe lots accurately, it may be impractical for us to carry out exhaustive due diligence on each lot. Prospective buyers are given ample opportunities to view and inspect before any sale and they (and any independent experts on their behalf) must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any description applied to a lot. Prospective buyers also bid on the understanding that, inevitably, representations or statements by us as to authorship, origin, date, age, provenance, condition or estimated selling price involve matters of opinion.
Auction: The Oxford Library Sale, 8th Feb, 2024
Day One
Clocks, Furniture, Works of Art and Collectable - Lots 1 - 406
Day Two
Fine Bindings and Incunables from the collection of the late John P. Love - Lots 501- 575 (Click here to read about J. P. Love)
Antiquarian and Modern Books from multiple vendors - Lots 576 - 598
Books from the Library of the late Malcom Deas - Lots 601 - 702 (Click here to read about M. Deas)
Antiquarian and Modern Books from multiple vendors - Lots 703 - 783
Viewing
Saturday 3 February 9am - 1pm
Monday 5 February 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 6 February 9am - 5pm
