PLUTARCH

Problemata

      [Trans. By Joannes Petrus Lucensis & edited by Joannes Calphurnius]. 66 leaves, 23 lines, Roman & Greek letter, one 5-line initial space. 4to (197 x 144 mm.), late 18th cent. green half-sheep & marbled boards, flat spine gilt. [Venice]: D. de Siliprandis, [ca. 1477].pFirst edition and one of only two books known from this press. The only other book issued by this press is an edition of Petrarch's Canzoniere completed not earlier than 8 May 1477. The translator, Gianpietro d'Avenza (d. 1457), was professor of literature at Lucca. In a notice to the reader, the editor Calphurnius (d. 1503), explains that certain blank portions in the text are due to the incompleteness of the Greek manuscript. This is a Latin translation of Plutarch's Quaestiones Romanae, in which Plutarch attempts to explain 113 Roman customs, the majority of which deal with social and religious matters. The original Greek text was published much later. Fine copy with some contemporary annotations in the margins. First five leaves with a small marginal wormhole neatly filled-in. Goff B-828. Klebs 788.1.. First Edition. Hard cover.