Hierocles of Alexandria (died 5th century AD)

In aureos versus Pythagorae opusculum.

      Padua, Bartholomaeus de Valdezoccho, 1474. First Edition. 4°; 20 cm x 15,5 cm. 91 (of 92) leaves, a-k8 l6 m5 (lacking last blank leaf). 24 columns per page (Text size: 132 x 76 mm). Full calf binding. Very good condition. Wonderfully preserved First Edition in a superbly elegant binding made of beautiful red leather. The work contains the commentary to the "Golden Poem" by the Pythagoreans. It is the only surviving work by the Neo-Platonist Hierocles of Alexandria. The text was translated into Latin by the Sicilian humanist Giovanni Aurispa (1376-1459; also known as Joannes Aurispa) who bought the original Greek manuscript in Venice in 1441. The book is dedicated to Pope Nicolas V. (1447-1455). This edition also features an extremely rare characteristic of old incunables: the quire counts were stamped onto the paper by hand. These hand-stamped counts are especially known in works printed by Valdezoccho (also: Val de Zoccho) in 1473. When these works were rebound the bookbinder usually removed the stamps, which happened here in quires i-m. Quires a-h still retain these remarkable stamps. The broad margins and early Roman type are also important criteria which further underline the esthetical uniqueness of the volume at hand. Elegant full red leather binding of the late 19th century with beautifully discreet gilt-stamped spine and fine gilt-stamped borders on covers and edges. All edges of the text block are golden. [Condition of the binding: Very Good / Condition of the paper: Good (+) / Further remarks: The incunable is in very good condition. The corners and edges of the binding are only very lightly rubbed. The red color of the leather is strong and bright. A small library label on the front cover. The paper has hardly darkened and apart from a few light marks appears as new. The inner cover with a book plate by John Vertues, Bishop of Portsmouth (1826-1900), who gave the book to Stonyhurst College in Lancashire in 1894. A remarkably beautiful and wonderfully preserved copy of this very much sought-after First Edition. ] Hierocles (died 5th century A.D.) was a student of Plutarch of Athens (c. 350 - 431/433). He was an avid defender of heathen beliefs and was of the opinion that divine intervention and free will could coexist: "The most important source for our knowledge of H.'s philosophy is his commentary on the Golden Verses of the Pythagoreans." (BBKL, Bd. II) (GW 12409 Goff H-151). [Attributes: First Edition; Hard Cover]