Plutarchus, La prima parte delle vite, Venice, 1529, contemporary binding, possibly Roman

Part 1 only, of two, 8vo (155 x 100 mm). Italic type, 29 lines plus headline. collation: A-3T⁸ 3V⁷: 527 leaves (only, of 528; lacking terminal blank). Woodcut illustrations, title within elaborate woodcut border, initial spaces with printed guides, early marginal annotations. (Small repaired wormholes and repaired tear to title, some light spotting and browning throughout, marginal dampstaining affecting some leaves, marginal worming to 2H1-2I2 partially repaired, repaired wormtrack to final leaf.)

binding: Contemporary binding (163 x 104 mm), possibly Roman, frame composed of 2 blind fillets filled with repeated marguerite and tendril, with crossbar dividing central panel into 2 squares, low-grade gilt flower at angles, 4 gilt flowers forming a cross in squares, "P.V.D.P." (P[rima] V[ite] D[i] P[lutarcho]) lettered in low-grade gold at head of upper cover, spine with 3 bands, "P.S.E." lettered up fore-edge, traces of 4 pairs of leather ties, blue edges. (Binding somewhat rubbed and scraped, with old repairs to spine ends, hinges and corners, endleaves removed.)

acquisition: Purchased in 2000 from Sokol Books, London. references: USTC 849982; Edit16 CNCE 23226