Constantinople

1612 · réf. 9681 — Geneva: Oliva Pauli Stephani 1612. Folio in 6s pp. xxxii cols. 1624 104 ff. xii. Title page printed in red and black large woodcut olive-tree title device Schreiber 34 woodcut head- and tailpieces and initials Greek and Latin text in double column some spotting and browning at intervals largely due to paper qualityl later sheep circa 1700 minor wear abrasions to covers and wear to headcaps. A couple of ink library stamps St Patrick’s Collge Maynooth. Ownership inscription of Antoine Pericaud probably the Lyons-based antiquary author and translator 1782-1867. Engraved armorial bookplate to verso of title. Second edition overall and the first bilingual edition of the Myriobiblon combining David Hosechel’s recension of the original Greek text 1601 with Andreas Schott’s 1606 Latin translation. A powerful and capable statesman and churchman Photios a 9th century Patriarch of Constantinople was also at the centre of intellectual life in the Byzantine capital. His Bibliotheca or Myrobiblon supposedly written just before Photios undertook a dangerous diplomatic mission and dedicated to his brother Tarasius as a consolation in case he should fail to return is an account of some 280 books read and reviewed many of them classical works which have since been lost and for which this is the most important surviving record. Reynolds and Wilson credit him with inventing the book review Scribes and Scholars third ed. p. 62. Renouard Annales de l'imprimerie des Estienne 197 no.21 also noting copies dated 1611; further copies traced dated 1613; Schreiber The Estiennes 275. Book ] Oliva Pauli Stephani, unknown