1476 Milan incunable Philelphus Satyrae illuminated title leaf Incunabula

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PhilelphusMilan, 1476 A sadly incomplete copy of a very rare & desirable incunable - 141 of 150 leaves.It retains a very beautifully illuminated title leaf.� Franciscus Philelphus Satyrae Milan: Christophorus Valdarfer, 13 Nov. 1476� 4° in old vellum Goff P615; Hain 1297 Correct collation: 150 ff. [a–s⁸t⁶] Our copy lacking : l.2-7; s.8 part; t.1 & 5-6� FIRST AND ONLY 15TH-CENTURY EDITION. Francesco Filelfo, among the most skilled classicists of his day, was one of the only Quattrocento poets to write extensively in ancient Greek, and the first to produce a large-scale work in that language (the Psychagogia, first published in part in 1892). Known for his extravagant life style and outspoken contentiousness, Filelfo, of humble family background, used his verbal skills to advance himself politically, leaving numerous enemies in his wake. In his twenties, a seven-year stint in Constantinople as secretary to the Venetian ambassador left him with a fluent knowledge of Greek and an impressive collection of Greek manuscripts. From 1428 Filelfo taught at the University of Florence, but his unrelenting criticism of the party in power led to his banishment in 1434, not before he had been assaulted and severely injured by a person whom he later described as an assassin hired by a member of the Medici entourage. He took refuge in Siena, remaining there for five years, teaching Latin and Greek and writing these biting satires, mainly directed against Cosimo de'Medici, which he circulated amongst his friends (cf. Diana Robin, Filelfo in Milan, Princeton 1991, p. 57). In 1440 Filelfo established himself under the patronage of the Visconti at Milan, where he soon became the leader of a circle of humanists whose works fed the new Milanese presses. Filelfo's interest in printing, evident from numerous references in his correspondence, contributed to a remarkable concentration of classical and humanist editions at Milan in the first decade of printing there.� Christoph Valdarfer printed about 15 editions at Venice in 1470-71, before moving to Milan, where he probably assisted both Philippus di Lavagna and Antonius Zarotus before setting up his own press in 1474. DIMENSIONS:� Height 268mm CONDITION:� Old vellum. Very sound, but with losses to the spine. The contents lacking leaves, as above. The decorated title leaf is in very nice condition. A brown stain at the far outer corner of the lower margin starts very small and becomes progressively larger throughout. Otherwise very clean & untoned . APPEARANCE:� Handsome title leaf and typography.� SHIPPING:� WE DO NOT CHARGE FOR� SHIPPING. WE MAIL WORLDWIDE BY� PRIORITY AIR MAIL. � � BUT!!! � � � PLEASE NOTE: We are often traveling & your item will be MAILED FROM EUROPE. We use european postal systems, which are very safe but sometimes slow. We have perfect feedback and do everything possible [within reason!] to please our customers.BUT!! We have zero control over postal systems & customs offices, although I wish we did! While normal shipping is free, we can ship by FEDEX at your expense� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � We have been in the antiquarian trade for over thirty five years, and sell only genuine, original material. NO copies or reproductions of any kind. � Good luck in your bidding, and best regards to all. read more

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