Apicii Coelii De Opsoniis et Condimentis..

Amsterdam: Janssonio-Waesbergios, 1709. Small octavo (19 x 11 cm.), [xxxiv], 277, [44] pages. Illustrated frontispiece designed and engraved by J. Goeree. The image depicts a Roman kitchen with a staff of five preparing a meal.

EDITION. LARGE PAPER COPY?

The early cookbook compiled by Apicius, known as a gourmet at the time of the Emperor Tiberius. The work is a compilation from the 4th or 5th century, incorporating parts of his original work, parts of a similar work by Apuleius, and several Greek books on the subject. It combines recipes for the average middle-class household with some for the more luxurious table, and also contains interesting dietetic prescriptions and imaginative sauces. Lister's comments appear on one side of the two-column portions under each of the main Apicius sections; the second column is the commentary of Gabriel Humelberg (or Hummelberger) who edited a 1542 edition of which his commentary represented two thirds of the text. Humelberg (1487-1544) was a German humanist, doctor and botanist who particularly studied medicinal plants and ancient botanical writings. ~ Eighteenth century speckled calf, covers ruled in blind, expertly re-backed. Spine with five raised bands ruled in gilt, red morocco label lettered in gilt, edges sprinkled red,
armorial bookplate on front paste-down. Neat ink signature of front free-endpaper, some minimal foxing, corners of binding worn, otherwise an excellent copy. [Bitting, page 13; Brunet, vol. 1, col. 343; Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson 1192; Pennell, page 112; Vicaire].