Pindar, Olympia, Pythia, Nemea, Isthmia, [Geneva], 1560, contemporary Genevan binding of brown morocco gilt

PINDAR. Olympia. Pythia. Nemea. Isthmia. Cæterorum octo lyricorum carmina. Omnia græce et latine (Carminvm poetarum nouem, lyricæ poeseōs principú, fragmenta).

[Geneva]: Henri Estienne and Ulrich Fugger, 1560

A fine binding by the “Goldast Meister”, identified by Ilse Schunke as one of three Genevan binders patronised by Ulrich Fugger, who also made numerous bindings for Melchior Goldast (see

Die Einbände der Palatina in der Vatikanischer Bibliothek,

Vatican City, 1962; a list of Ulrich's books is on pp.321–329). The sections of Ulrich's library that went to the Vatican have mostly been rebound.

2 parts in one volume, 16mo (124 x 55mm). Roman, Greek and italic types, 24 lines plus headline. Collation: a-z⁸ aa-nn⁸ A-Z⁸ AA-DD⁸: 504 leaves. Woodcut device on both titles.

Binding: Contemporary Genevan binding by the Goldast Meister in citron morocco, frame formed by double gilt fillets around sides painted black, central gilt plaque with strapwork painted black and with similar finials, spine with 4 full bands and 2 half bands, gilt quatrefoils in compartments, edges gilt, gauffered to a floral design with leaves picked out in red and green. (Foot of spine slightly worn.)

Provenance: Ulrich Fugger (1526-1584), by descent to — Marcus Fugger (1529-1597), by descent to — Marquard Fugger, Graf von Kirchberg und Weissenhorn (1596-1655) — Oettingen-Wallerstein, family library, Schloss Maihingen — Eugen Wolfgang Karl Friedrich Joseph Notger, Fürst zu Oettingen-Oettingen und Oettingen-Wallerstein (1885-1969) — Karl & Faber, Auktion 9: Bibliophile Kostbarkeiten aus der Fürstl. Oettingen-Wallerstein'schen Bibliothek in Maihingen und aus der Bibliothek des Augsburger Patriziers Marcus Fugger, Munich, 11 May 1934, lot 274 — Librairie Vénot, Lyon — Maurice Burrus (1882-1959), his acquisition label from Vénot dated 1934, sale, Christie's Paris, 15 December 2015, lot 75. Acquisition: Purchased at the preceding sale. References: USTC 450500; Renouard, Estienne, 117.2