LUCIAN OF SAMOSATA (c.125-after 180). Vera historia. Translated by Lilius Castellanus. [And:] DIODORUS SICULUS (fl. first century BCE). Bibliothecae historicae libri VI. Translated by Poggio Florentinus. Venice: Philippus Pincius, 20 November 1493.

Second edition, first in folio format, of Lucian's precocious work of ancient science-fiction comedy. Lucian was Syrian satirist famous for his rather sarcastic style; he wrote in Greek, and here appears in the Latin translation of Lilius Castellanus, which was first printed in octavo by Arnoldus de Bruxella at Naples in 1475. The present work, A True Story, begins with the disclaimer that the whole thing is a lie. It tells the story of Lucian and his companions traveling out beyond the Pillars of Hercules and ultimately to the Moon, where they become involved in a political conflict with the bizarre hybrid lifeforms who live there.

Upon their return from space, the travelers are swallowed by a whale, visit an island made of cheese, and eventually make their way to the Island of the Blessed. There, they meet heroes and authors of antiquity—some of whom are being punished for their own outlandish lies. After delivering a letter to Calypso for Odysseus (he regrets leaving her), they sail off for yet more adventures and the text ends abruptly. The promise of a sequel turns out to be, according to the later commentator Photius, the biggest lie of all. This edition also contains Poggio's translation of the first six books of Diodorus Siculus's famous "Library of History," ironically containing just the sort of outlandish tales that Lucian is sending up. The first edition (also of the Latin translation), printed in Naples in 1475/6, is vanishingly rare. This second edition is also scarce at auction, with only one other copy recorded by RBH. Goff L-328; BMC V 495; GW M19065.

Chancery folio (275 x 190mm). 59 leaves [of 60, without final blank]. (One or two spots, title lightly soiled.) 20th-century half reversed calf and decorated paper boards (leather a bit scuffed). Provenance: a few trimmed marginal notes.