(Venetiis: Apud Aldum, Mense Februario · M · D · III. Hoc in libro cautum est privilegio ut in Cæteris ·)
Physical Description
2 vols.; 161 mm. (Octavo.)
General Note
Vol. I: [264] leaves. The signatures are the twenty four letters of the Greek alphabet (Alpha to Omega) followed by the first ten letters of the Greek alphabet (Double Alpha to Double Kappa) followed by four leaves without signature (carrying the lists of contents, signatures, colophon and printer's device). Each signature comprises eight leaves - apart from Delta (4 f., incl. one blank), Theta (6 f.), Mu (6 f.), Omicron (10 f.), Sigma (10 f.), Phi (6 f.), Double Gamma (6 f.), Double Theta (6 f.), Double Kappa (10 f.) and the last, unsigned group of four leaves. - Vol. II:
Contents
Vol. I: [T.p.] - Aldus Ro. Demetrio Chalcondylae Viro Clariss. SPD. - Epigrammata Is Euripiden - Manuel Tu Moschogulu Synopsis Tu Biu Tu Pœetu - [Text] - [Note, 'Primum Volumen Euripidis · in quo sunt tragœdiæ decem. videlicet ...']; Ordo Quaternionum; [colophon] - [Printer's device]. - Vol. II:
Responsibility Note
The publisher's imprint appears as a colophon.
The text was edited by Ioannes Gregoropulus.
References
C. Dionisotti, Aldo Manuzio editore (2 v., 1975), no. 46; University of Cambridge, Catalogue Of Books Printed On The Continent Of Europe, 1501-1600 In Cambridge Libraries, comp. H.M. Adams (1967), v.I. E1030.
R.G. Babcock, Learning from the Greeks: an exhibition commemmorating the five-hundredth anniversary of the founding of the Aldine press [exhibition catalogue] (1994); M.I. Manoussacas and C. Staikos, edd., Le edizioni di testi greci da Aldo Manuzio e le prime tipografie greche di Venezia = Hoi ecdoseis ton Hellenicon biblion apo ton Aldo Manutio [exhibition catalogue] (1993); N. Barker, Aldus Manutius and the development of Greek script and type in the fifteenth century (1992); University of California, Los Angeles, Catalogue of the Ahmanson-Murphy Aldine collection at UCLA. Fasc. I, The publications of Aldus Manutius the elder, comp. N. Barker (1989).
Summary Note
This was the first printed edition of the collected plays of Euripides in Greek. The title page of Volume I describes the publication as containing seventeen tragedies, without indicating that this is the first volume only; but a note at the end of this volume makes clear that this is the 'first volume', in which there are only ten plays (it lists the same first ten as appear on the title page, as far as 'Iphigenia in Tauris').
In addition to the seventeen plays listed on the title page of Volume I (sixteen tragedies and the satyric play 'Cyclops'), this edition contains also in Volume II the 'Hercules furens', printed at the end. This edition does not contain Euripides's 'Electra' (which would be first printed in 1545, by Blado).
The text of each of the ten plays in Volume I is preceded by a divisional title, summary and list of 'dramatis personae'. The title page speaks also of 'exegeses' or 'commentaria', but these are not included - unless these terms refer to the short 'hypotheses' or summaries preceding each play.
Although the title page is in ancient Greek and Latin, the plays themselves are printed in ancient Greek only.
In format this publication is an example of the 'libellus portatilis' or 'enchiridion' - a new type of small book, of elongated shape, that would sit comfortably in the hand; which Manuzio began to produce in 1501.
Provenance
The front pastedown carries an armorial bookplate of late-18th-century style, including the motto 'Dulces Ante Omnia Musæ'. The title page is inscribed in ink, 'Ex libris H minorum Conventus Lamonica'; and in a different hand, 'Kidd' (perhaps the classical scholar Thomas Kidd [1770-1850]?).
Copy Note
Imperfect: lacks Volume II.
In Vol. I. all pages have been annotated at the foot with the line-numbers of the dramas. There are very occasional, small marginal annotations elsewhere.
Binding Note
18th-century red morocco, upper and lower covers having gilt ruled borders; gilt-decorated spine, lettered 'Euripidis Tragœdiæ'.