[Rarebooks] RARE GREEK ALDINE. FLETCHER OF SALTOUN'S COPY.

[Kenneth Karmiole]

(Aldine Press)
Nazianzus, Gregorius, Saint (or, Nazianzenus)ORATIONES LECTISSIMAE XVI.  (colophon) Venice: Aldus and Andrea Torresani. April, 1516.  First edition in Greek.  8vo.  ff.(8),311,(1).  Complete with blank leaf a8.  Aldine anchor and dolphin device on title and verso of the final leaf.  Two preliminary leaves 
with headings printed in red.  Original limp vellum, with overlapping fore-edges (wallet like).  Top of spine with title in cont. black ink.  Small paper label at bottom of spine.  Vellum covers and spine somewhat dirt soiled.  A lovely copy with the ownership signature "Fletcher", i.e. Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun (1655-1716) on the inside of the rear vellum cover.
$2500
Editio princeps in Greek of these 16 speeches of fourth century St. Gregory.  It includes two orations condemning his contemporary Julian the Apostate, as well as the funeral oration for St. Basil.  Edited by Marcus Musurus.  The previous owner Fletcher of Saltoun had perhaps the largest collection of early printed books (over 6000) in Scotland, at his death.  Renouard p.75; UCLA #144; Adams G1157.

Kenneth KarmioleP.O. Box 464, Santa Monica, CA 90406310-266-1910.  kkarmiole at yahoo.com