RHETORUM GRAECORUM ORATIONES (ORATORES GRAECI).

      The editio princeps of most of the Attic orators (1513): One of the most beautiful books printed byAldus Venice, Aldus Manutius & Andreas Asulanus (Andreas Socer), April- 7 May 1513. Three parts in two vols. Folio (299x198mm.). Early 19th-century English red grained morocco with blind tooled border and gilt corner-pieces with pointillé design, gilt inner dentelles, g.e. With Aldus' printer's device on the three titles and at the end of part 3; titles to each part printed in Greek and Latin; the two dedications in Latin, texts in Greek; capital spaces with printed guide letters; 48-49 lines and headline. Collation: Part 1: ð2-1, a-m8, n4 (197 numbered pp., with the often lacking last blank); part 2: aaa-iii8, kkk10 (162 numbered pp.); part 3: aa-mm8, nn4, AA-DD8, EE4 (197 numbered pp., with the often lacking last blank, pp. 98 -167, (3) pp., with the device on the verso of the last leaf).second leaf of the first bifolium of part 1, being blank except for two lines with instructions for the binder, is lacking as in all copies of this book except for one. Renouard says that this leaf does not belong to the edition: 'je fais mention d'une si mince particularité pour avertir qu'il n'y a aucune imperfection!' Very important editio princeps of most of the Attic orators, the works of Demosthenes being published before. It realy is one of the most important and beautiful books printed on the famous Aldine presses.Contents:Part1: Aeschines (p.3), Lysias (p. 86), Alcidamas, Anthisthenes and Damades.Part 2: Andocides (p.3), Isaeus (p. 32), Dinarchus (p. 81), Antiphon (p.99), Lycurgus (p. 132), Gorgias (p. 151), Lesbonax (p. 155), Herodes (p. 160).Part 3: Isocrates (p. 3), Alcidamas, Contra dicendi magistros (p. 98 (it.)), Gorgias, De ladibus Helenae (p. 102 (it.)), Aristides, De laudibus Athenarum (p. 104 (it.)), Aristides, De laudibus urbis Romae (p. 154 (it.)). There are two important dedicatory letters by Aldus Manitius: the letter to Francesco Fasolo, dated 6.5.1513 in part 1 (f. p1v-a1r; Aldo Manuzio editore LXXV), and the letter to Giovanni Battista Egnazio, dated April 1513 in part 3 (f. aa1v; Aldo Manuzio editore LXXVI). Splendid copy of this beautiful book rarely found in this condition. Provenance: British Museum Library (duplicate sale 1814; Charles P. Burney; Charles Bloomfield (on his death in 1857 his heirs returned the volume to Charles Burney. - (Very occasional slight browning; leaves of quire ff extended at lower margin). Renouard, p. 60-62; Kallendorf & Wells, Aldine Press Books 99; Aldo Manuzio tipografo (1494-1515), 114, with plates of the three titles; Ahmanson-Murphy 95/1-4; Hoffman 3, p.167; Aldo Manuzio editore, LXXV and LXXVI.