Boccaccio, de Mulieribus claris, folio. Ulmæ, Joannes Zainer, 1473. Editio princeps. Dialogus creaturarum Moralizatus. Folio. Gouda, Gerardus de Leeu. 1482 Falconia, Proba, Excerptum è Maronis Carminibus, &c. S. R. D. A. 4to. Glanvi la, de Proprietatibus Rerum, in folio maximo. Horatii Opera, Landini, Venetiis, 1483. Folio. Josephus de Bello Judaico, Latinè. Folio. Romæ, per Arnoldum Pannartz 1475. Lactantius, folio. Romæ, per Conradum Sweynheym et Arnoldum Panantz. Romæ. 1468. Missale ad usum Ecclesiæ Sarisburiensis. Folio. Rothomagi, Martin Morin, 1497. In Membranis. Plutarchi Apothegmata Latine, quarto. Sine loci, anni, aut typographi indicatione, charactere eodem Latino quo Florus, Horatius, et Lucanus impressi sunt. Sabellicus, Æneades. Folio. Venetiis, 1498. Sabellicus, Rerum Venetarum. Folio. Venetiis, Andrea de Asula. 1487. In Membranis. Senecæ Tragœdiæ, Ferrariæ, Andreas Gallicus, c. 1484. Folio. Terentii Comœdiæ. Folio. Tarvisii. 1477. Valerius Maximus. Venetiis per Joannem de Colonia. 1474. Folio. Having thus briefly enumerated the works which the curious stranger will look for in vain upon the well-furnished shelves of the Royal Library in the British Museum, I proceed to give some account of the books actually contained therein. To begin with the beginning, that is, with the invention of the art of printing, I may mention the following xylographic productions, so well described by Baron Heinecken, in his admirable Idée générale d'une Collection Complette des Estampes. The Biblia Pauperum, consisting of forty tablets, fortunately uncoloured, but pasted upon sheets of coarse paper, is preserved in a coverture of red morocco. The Historia Sancti Joannis, Latinè; is represented upon fifty tablets, being, according to Heinecken, the fifth edition of that work. These cuts are also uncoloured, and pasted upon coarse paper, and the volume itself is also bound in red morocco. There is also a German version of the same work with the cuts coloured, which circumstance, in the estimation of all true bibliographical antiquaries, tends to diminish their value. These rude efforts of the infant art were the adumbration, so to speak, of the perfect art of printing, and as such, have always been regarded with especial reverence by all true bibliographers. Next in order to be noticed, are the books printed with moveable types. Among the very first, although destitute of date, place, or name of printer, I may, upon the authority of the Cremerian inscription at Paris, name the famous Mazarine Bible, in two volumes, folio. The present copy is in excellent preservation, upon paper, having the first page of each volume decorated, and all the initials filled in by the rubricator. It measures 154 by 114, and is sumptuously bound in blue morocco, with linings of blue silk. Both volumes being enclosed in blue morocco cases. Of this rare and valuable work, the following copies are known to exist upon paper in the Libraries of Eton College, Earl Spencer, Sir John Thorold, Mr. J. Lloyd, Mr. Perkins, and Mr. Hibbert's copy now probably at Dublin. Of the still Lamenting the absence of the first printed book with a date subjoined, next in order of time I may enumerate the second edition of the Latin Psalter, printed by Fust and Schoiffer at Mentz, in 1459, folio. The present copy is upon vellum, measuring 163 by 124, and bound in blue morocco. After the well-known colophon upon the last page of this volume, certain musical notes have been added by some ancient hand, corresponding with the following words there also inserted. "Fortem virili pectore laudemus, omnes feminam quæ sanctitatis gloria ubique fulget inclyta." The copy under description contains only 130 leaves, whereof the first 118 include the Psalter, and the remaining twelve the Vespers and other Hymns, &c. But of these Vespers there are 18 leaves, both in the Royal copy at Paris and in that of Earl Spencer,* therefore it is clear that six of these are wanting in the present copy. The total number of leaves in a perfect copy being 136. This copy is also remarkable as containing an unusual number of manuscript alterations in the text of the Psalter. In many instances several lines of the printed characters have been erased, and manuscript letters inserted in their stead. The work probably of some pious monk, desirous of adapting the old ritual to the use of the Monastery in which this copy happened to be placed. Instances of these alterations are particularly obvious in pages 38, 95, 194, 226, 245, 246, 247, 248, and 249. They may also be remarked in pages 5, 8, 11, 13, 18, 21, 36, 39, 50, 60, 68, 75, 76, 82, 86, 91, 113, 114, 115, 128, 134, 135, 144, 154, 157, 159, 163, 165, 167, 169, 171, 175, 177, 179, 180, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 190, 193, 199, 202, 225, 227, 234, 236, 243, 250, 251, 252, 255, 257, 258, 259, 260. Erasures have also been made at pages 22, 113, 128, 144, 173, 185, 225, 227, 235, 255, and 256, which have not been supplied at all. An entire verse has been added in manuscript, to page 223, and all the musical notes are as usual filled in by the hand. Following the order of time, I may next mention the noble copy of Durandi Rationale Divinorum Officiorum, printed at Mentz in 1459, folio, being the third book with a date. It measures 164 by 12 inches, and is bound in old calf. A legitimate production of the press of Gutenberg next claims our attention, being no less than a very fine copy of the Catholicon Januense, printed at Mentz in 1460. This portly folio measures 154 by 11 inches, and is clothed in blue morocco. Next in order of time comes that famous Bible printed by Pfister, previous to the year 1461, at Bamberg, in two noble folio volumes. The present copy is very beautiful, and the texture of the paper very fine. It is sumptuously bound in blue morocco, richly gilt, with silk linings, and enclosed in blue morocco cases. Vol. I. measures 15 inches by 104, and Vol. II. 144 by 11 inches. This is commonly called the Bible of Schelhorn. Reverting to the early efforts of the press of Mentz, we arrive at "magnificentissima, et famigeratissima illa Biblia Latina," in the enthusiastic language of more precious copies of this work upon vellum, that accurate and excellent bibliographer M. Van Praet enumerates only five. In the Royal Libraries of Paris and Berlin, in a monastery in the Black Forest, and in the libraries of the Hon. Thomas Grenville and Mr. Perkins. See his invaluable Catalogue des Livres sur Vélin. In the Bibliotheca Spenceriana, however, Dr. Dibdin has stated the number of leaves in this volume to be 151, being the number inscribed in manuscript upon the last leaf. Some ancient hand having so numbered the leaves up to folio 118, and afterwards in like manner numbered the pages, which circumstance escaped the cursory observation of that bibliographer. Far be it from me to undertake the endless and unprofitable task of pointing out the errors of Dr. Dibdin; but in reference to the work in question, he has so authoritatively remarked (B. S. i. 118) that this edition may derive additional interest from containing the first printed text of the Athanasian Creed, unless a dateless impression of Bamberg may dispute the precedence, that I think it my duty to apprise the reader that the Creed of Saint Athanasius occurs in the Psalter of 1457, occupying nearly the whole of the 26th and 27th leaves of that volume, and consequently was printed for the first time in that place. This oversight is the more unaccountable, as a long article is devoted to this very book in the Bibliotheca Spenceriana, Dr. Dibdin having both editions sub oculis at the time. an old Bibliographer, which bears the proud distinction of being the first bible printed with a date subjoined, and the place and name of the printer also. This copy is however upon paper, a circumstance which increases its rarity, although it may impair its durability. Its dimensions are 15 by 11 inches, and the two volumes are bound in French red morocco, of the fashion of the last century. This library also contains a portion of the same Bible upon vellum, in excellent preservation and beautifully illuminated. It unfortunately contains the New Testament only, and as it measures 15 by 114 inches, our regret is increased that the correspondent parts should have been severed, by whatever accident, from this most inviting portion of the sacred volume. It is bound in blue morocco, with gilt leaves. In the same character with the preceding work, we have the Augustinus de Civitate Dei, executed by Schoyffer alone, in 1473, folio, a copy of which the beauty of the paper and the lustre of the ink would alone entitle it to notice. I cannot quit the subject of Mentz Typography without noticing the curious Peregrinations of Breydenbach, of which the present copy, printed upon vellum, and measuring 12 inches by 8, from the style of its ancient red morocco attire, appears to have formerly adorned the celebrated Harleian Collection. The first book printed in Italy now attracts our attention, being the celebrated Lactantius, printed in the Monastery of Subiaco in 1465, folio. The present copy, unhappily deficient in the errata, measures 12 by 8 inches, and is bound in blue morocco. In this place I cannot refrain from noticing a most beautiful copy of the Augustinus de Civitate Dei, printed in the same monastery in 1467, folio. This work is admirably executed in double columns, and the present copy has been uncommonly well preserved. It measures 151⁄2 by 10 inches, and is bound in maroon morocco. Of the first editions of the Classics this library contains a large majority, and although the true Bibliographer may justly lament the absence of the first editions of Virgil, of Lucretius, of Boethius, and Catullus,* of Martial and Apicius, he must rejoice at finding the Spira Virgil of 1470, upon vellum, measuring 12 by 84 inches, and attired in red morocco. Let him also read the following list of first editions of the Classics, taken at random, and be thankful. Ammianus Marcellinus. Romæ, per Sachsel et Golsch, 1474, folio, measuring 13 inches by 84, and bound in red morocco. Apuleius. Romæ, 1469, folio, measuring 12 by 9 inches, and bound in red morocco; uniformly with the Aulus Gellius. Romæ, 1469, folio, which has the first leaf of the table inlaid, and measures 12 by 84 inches. Cæsar. Romæ, 1469, folio, measuring 11 by 84 inches, and bound in red morocco. Lucanus. Romæ, 1469, folio, whose dimensions are 12 by 8, and whose attire is red morocco. Silius Italicus. Romæ, 1471, folio, measuring 12 by 8 inches, and bound in old blue morocco. The Calphurnius, printed in the same type with the present volume, and sometimes bound up with it, is in this collection, contained in a separate volume, which is also bound in blue morocco. I need not inform any but "the general reader," that the six preceding articles were all printed by Sweynheym and Pannartz. Here too is the first Livy, by the same artists, a noble folio tome, which has been tastefully re-bound in maroon morocco, with bronze clasps. Of the Sylva of Statius, however, which forms properly the last portion of the volume, containing the Catullus, Tibullus and Propertius, and bearing the date of 1472, folio, a very fine copy, measuring 11 by 8 inches, and bound in red morocco, is contained in this collection. By its side too, may be seen the rival edition of Ulric Han, in two volumes, folio, bound in red morocco. But the first four leaves of this copy have 'been inlaid. From Rome also we have the first editions of Quintilianus "in pinea regione via Papæ," Romæ, 1470, folio, attributed to Philip de Lignamine; a very fine copy with rough leaves, measuring 13 by 94 inches, and bound in red morocco: and of Suetonius, Romæ, 1470, also printed "in pinea regione," by the same artist, a copy whose dimensions are 12 by 8 inches, and which is bound in red morocco. Turning our eyes to Venice, the nursing mother of the infant art, we find A vellum copy of the Justin, printed there by Jenson in 1470, folio. The present copy, however, is not calculated to sustain the fame of that unrivalled artist, being unfortunately defective in the first five leaves, containing the table of Chapters, which is awkwardly enough supplied by manuscript. The volume measures 10 inches by 7, and is bound in red morocco. A beautiful copy of the first edition of Priscian, by Vindelin de Spira, with the date 1470, folio. This volume measures 12 by 9 inches, and is bound in red morocco. The first edition of the Comedies of Plautus, the joint labour of Vindelin de Spira, and John de Colonia, in 1472, folio, a copy of which the first leaf is inlaid, and whose dimensions are 124 by 84 inches. It is attired in red morocco, with gilt leaves, &c. The valuable first edition of Ausonius, printed by Bartholomæus Girardinus, in 1472, in folio. This is a short but perfect copy, measuring 104 by 74 inches. It is bound in red morocco, in the French style of the last century. The Spira Martial, measuring 10 by 74 inches, and bound in blue morocco. A noble copy of the Natural History of Pliny, first printed by John de Spira in 1469, folio, measuring 16 inches by 104, and sumptuously bound in dark green morocco, with gilt clasps. And a beautiful copy of the same work, printed upon vellum, by Nicholas Jenson, in 1472, folio, measuring likewise 16 inches by 104, and also bound in green morocco. Macrobius, printed by Nicolas Jenson, in 1472, folio, a copy whose dimensions are 12 by 84 inches, and which is bound in red morocco. By the same eminent typographer we find also a very fine copy of Solinus de situ Orbis, 1473, folio, printed upon very pure vellum. This elegant volume measures 10 by 7 inches, and is bound in red morocco. Pursuing the vellum theme I may mention the following beautiful little volumes from the Aldine Press, all printed upon vellum. To wit: The Euripides of 1503, in two volumes 8vo. measuring 64 by 31, and bound in purple stained morocco. The Martial of 1501, in octavo, with a gratuitous illumination corresponding to the ornaments on the first page. The present copy measures 61 by 31, and is attired in an old garment of red morocco. The Statius, of 1502, octavo, with the first page illuminated, measuring 61 by 4 inches, and still retaining its original vellum wrapper. To these I may add, as a specimen of the Giolito Press, The Orlando Furioso of Ariosto, printed upon vellum in quarto, 1542; a copy measuring 84 by 64 inches, and attired in an old covering of calf. Touching Italian poetry, I may notice The first edition of Il Canzoniere of Petrarch, printed by Vindelin de Spira, in 1470, folio. The present is a fine copy, measuring 104 by 64, and bound in red morocco. Reverting to Classical Literature, The first edition of Sallust, printed by the same printer in the same year, claims our notice, the copy under notice measuring 8 by 61, and being clothed in red morocco of a quaint fashion. To the same ingenious printer we are probably indebted for the first edition of Tacitus in folio, printed about the year 1470, of which the copy in this library is in genuine condition, measuring 11 by 8 inches, and bound in old red morocco. To Venice may also be ascribed the first edition of Pliny's Epistles, printed by Valdarfer in 1471, folio; the present copy measuring 104 by 71, and being bound in russia. But I should weary the patience of my readers were I to enumerate all the first editions of the Classic authors which owe their birth to Venice. Suffice it to remind them, that to the indefatigable efforts of Aldus, and the successful typographical career of his descendants, we are indebted for the first printed impressions of Eschylus, Sophocles, Pindar and Theocritus, of Aristophanes and Musaus, of Aristotle, Theophrastus, and Galen, as well as of Athenæus, Herodotus, Plato, Plutarch, Strabo and Thucydides. Of all of which estimable authors of antiquity, copies of becoming condition will not be sought in vain upon the well-stored shelves of the Georgian Library. It were inexcusable, however, to omit those rare and early editions of the Classic Authors, among which precedence is due to the De Officiis of Cicero, printed at Mayence, in 1465, folio. This copy is upon vellum, much defaced by MS. notes. It measures, however, 9 by 63, and is bound in old French red morocco. Equalling this work in rarity are the Tusculanæ Quæstiones of the same author, printed by Ulric Han at Rome, in 1469, a copy adorned with three of the most elegant initials I ever beheld, measuring 11 inches by 74, and being attired in red morocco. Two volumes of the Azzoquidi Ovid, printed at Bologna, in fine sound condition, measuring 134 by 84, and bound in red morocco. The first edition of Florus, printed at Paris in the Sorbonne; a copy which, though not so fine as could be desired, is yet happily in a perfect state. It measures 8 inches by 53, and is bound in red morocco. The first edition of Eutropius, printed by Laver at Rome, measuring 11 inches by 8, and, though wormed, in genuine condition, in red morocco. The Moravian Seneca, printed at Naples in 1475, folio, a beautiful copy, measuring 16 inches by 11, bound in green morocco, with clasps; and the Vitruvius, by George Herolt, a fine copy, of 11 by 77, in red morocco. serve to augment the riches of this Library. All To these succeed the Minutianian Cicero, printed at Milan in 1498-9. The present copy being bound in two volumes, in red morocco, measuring 15 by 10 inches. The first edition of Esop, printed without date, at the same place. The third part of which was added to complete the Royal copy, by the gift of Dr. Charles Burney of Greenwich, in 1799; but it is unfortunately of less marginal amplitude than the preceding parts of the volume, which measure 8 by 6 inches. It is bound in purple morocco. To Milan also may probably be referred Puteolanus' edition of Pliny's Panegyric, printed in 1476, quarto. The present copy measuring 8 by 64, and bound in red morocco. The first edition of Pomponius Mela, printed at Milan in 1471, quarto, a copy of which the date has been supplied by manuscript, and which measures 7 by 5, being bound in red morocco. To the above I may add the first editions of Isocrates, Hesiod, and Theocritus, all executed in the same character at Milan about the year 1493, in folio. GENT. MAG. VOL. I. 2 H |
