L. G. Gyraldi… Opera Omnia Dvobvs Tomis Distincta, Complectentia historiam de Deis Gentivm, Mvsis et Hercvle…quae omnia … partim commentario J. Faes, et animadversionibus hactenus ineditis P. Colomesii… illustrata exhibet J. Jensius

Book Description

Lugduni Batavorum [Leiden]:: Hackium, Boutesteyn, Vivie, Vander AA, & Luchtmans. 1696. hardcover. 2. Two works in one volume, each with separate title-pages. Large 4to. (367 x 235 mm) [20], 772 (2-column pagination), [26, 4], 928 (2-column pagination), [32] pp. Full-page engraved additional title, engraved printer’s device on title-page, title-page in red and black, 2 double-page engravings, 7 full-page engravings, plates engraved by John. Aveele, after drawings by F. Boitard; short tear on 2N2 without loss. Original dark calf, raised bands, gilt-stamped compartments on spine, black gilt-stamped morocco spine title label; neatly rebacked preserving covers and spine. Signature of J. Fazakerley of title-page. Very good. . FIRST COLLECTED EDITION of the works of Giraldus, with engraved plates by Joh. vanden Aveele and F. Boitard. This early Renaissance Italian poet was the first to systematically study Greek and Roman mythology. The first part of book one is an encyclopedic reference work of the major Greek gods; the second book deals with ancient poets. This copy features a double-page engraving which acts as a pictorial table of contents to assist the reader in locating each gods’ entry. In the text, Giraldus refers to the works of Didodorus Siculus (Greek historian, 1st c. B. C.) and his great work on mythology A second double-page engraving depicts medallions of ancient Greece and Rome. A section on The Muses has a full-page engraving; the section on Hercules features a spectacular engraving of the life and labors of Hercules including the infant Hercules strangling snakes put in his crib by Juno, his struggle with Atlas and his battles with the Gorgon, the bull and Cerberus the three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hades. The other wonderful engravings include a plate for De navigiis libellus, the funeral of Carolum Milthzienum Germanum, a mythological convocation of famous Greek and Latin poets, and a plate of the signs of the Zodiac, flanked by Bacchus, Ceres and Janus. This section contains Giraldus’ work which influenced the reform of the Julian calendar. BM Readex Vol. 10, p. 640; Encyclopedia Britannica (11th ed.) Vol. 12, pp. 43-44.

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