ID 627504
Lot 15 | Iliad, in Latin
Estimate value
$ 2 000 – 4 000
Scarce early edition of Lorenzo Valla's Latin paraphrase of Homer's Iliad. Valla was a Humanist writer and Hellenist who translated the work of several other important Greek authors into Latin, including Herodotus and Thucydides. The first edition of his Homer was printed in 1474; this early 15th-century edition was published by Melchior Lotter, a prolific Leipzig printer of school texts and, eventually, Reformation literature. No copies are recorded at auction by RBH/ABPC. VD16 H 4661.
Folio (290 x 191mm). 100 leaves. Woodcut initial at beginning of text (a few spots, some faint marginal dampstaining, small edge repair to f. 85, a few leaves toned from where newsprint was once tucked between pages; early 1900s newsprint and antiquity-themed cigarette cards adhered to pastedowns and blank verso of title). Rebound in contemporary blindstamped pigskin over wooden boards, brass clasps and cornerpieces (a skillful remboitage, a little wear and staining to boards).
| Artist: | William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) |
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| Applied technique: | Pencil |
| Artist: | William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) |
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| Applied technique: | Pencil |
| Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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| Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
| Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
| Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |













