James Cummins Bookseller

Rome: Zacharias Callierges [for Cornelio Benigno], (13 August 1515).

Price: $9,000.00

About the item

Woodcut printers' devices of Benigno and Callierges on title-page, the later repeated on verso of last leaf, A3 printed in black only, without blanks ι6 and θ10. 4to. The first Greek book printed in Rome. Later 18th-century vellum, vellum spine label titled in gilt surrounded by roll border, shelfmark ticket at tail-end of spine. Title leaf dusty and lightly soiled, sporadic soiling and staining throughout. Early marginalia in Greek throughout, partially trimmed in places. Provenance: Fr. H. Van Bergen (ownership signature to title dated 10 janii 1654). HAdams P-1219; Censimento 16 CNCE 23572; Legrand I, 47; K. Staikos, Charta of Greek Printing, Cologne 1998, pp. 413-414.

Item #305128

The first Greek book printed in Rome, and the second edition of Pindar's Odes following the Aldine edition of 1513. Zacharias Callierges, a Cretan scribe, had previously printed Greek books in Venice. He began printing in Rome with the financial support of Cornelio Benigno — this was the first book resulting from their partnership. "As a printer of Greek, the achievements of Callierges are second only to those of Aldus. As an engraver of Greek type he is in a class by himself" (Barker, Aldus Manutius and the Development of Greek Script and Type, p. 75)
This book is a stunning example of early Greek typography, including some pages printed in both black and red ink. The layout of poetry and commentary on some pages is reminiscent of earlier manuscripts of biblical commentaries and this is the first edition to include both the odes and the scholia commentary. The title page is of particular interest because of the appearance side-by-side of the emblems of the publisher and printer and the inclusion on one page of the title, place of publication, printer's name, and a statement of copyright (K. Staikos, Charta of Greek Printing). This Pindar is known in various variants of no assigned priority. Here leaf A3 is printed in black only.
Pindar is one of the most celebrated of the ancient Greek poets, and is work is illustrative of the dawn of the classical period. Many of his Odes celebrate victors at the Olympic Games in sports ranging from chariot racing to boxing. "Pindar's power ... lies in a splendour of phrase and imagery that suggests the gold and purple of a sunset sky." (F.L. Lucas).