Sidonius Apollinaris, 1498

SIDONIUS APOLLINARIS (c. 430-490). Epistolae et carmina. With commentary of Joannes Baptista Pius. Milan: Uldericus Scinzenzeler, for Hieronymus de Asula and Johannes de Abbatibus, 4 May 1498.

Second edition of the most important textual witness to Late-antique Roman Gaul, from the library of Walter Goldwater. Sidonius Apollinaris, bishop of Clermont, was writing from the edge of the Roman Empire—both geographically and temporally. His letters and panegyric poetry are modelled on those of Pliny the Younger, and provide a window into aristocratic life during a tumultuous period at the end of the Western Empire. The first edition was printed not after 1474 in Utrecht, and has only sold at auction once in the last 50 years according to ABPC. BMC VI 773; BSB-Ink S-378; Bod-inc S-195; IGI 8967; Goff S-494; ISTC is00494000.

Chancery folio (263 x 175). 144 leaves. Greek and Roman types. Woodcut initials in various sizes (patch repairs to torn lower margin of first three leaves, dampstaining to lower and upper margins, a little spotting mostly on final leaf). Later calf gilt signed by Riviere, edges gilt (rebacked preserving original spine, some knicks). Provenance: a little marginalia (trimmed) – erased French note of purchase dated 1823 – Gerald Poynton Mander (1885-1951, British antiquarian; bookplate) – Walter Goldwater (1907-1985, New York bookseller and activist who founded Dissent magazine; bookplate).