1580 Ovid's Heroines (Heroidum Epistolae P. Ovidii Nasonis). Printed by J. Gryphius in Venice.

16th century edition of Ovid's The Heroines (Heroides), printed by the well-regarded Gryphius family (in Venice); Ovid's poems (in the forms of letters) from the point-of-view of well-known women of ancient literature/mythology engaged in romantic struggles, is considered (by some, including Ovid) the first known instance of this literary genre.

For example, Penelope writes to her husband Odysseus (of Homer's Odyssey) towards the end of his long absence, in the first book. Several others, of the 12 letters, are from various women in the Trojan epic, to their (irresponsible?) lovers. Others are from mythology, like Hypsipyle writing to Jason after he abandoned her for Medea.

About the Printer -

Johann Gryphius was a member of the Gryphius printing family, an important family who printed many works in the 16th century. Johann printed in Venice.

Bibliographic Details -

Universal Short Title Catalogue (USTC) number 845885, 13 copies recorded in the world's libraries (all in Italy excepting two copies found at 1. The Harry Ransom in PA and 2. the New York Public Library).

In the catalogue Censimento Nazionale delle Edizione Italiane del XVI secolo, it is listed as book 35416.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 16 x 10.5 x 1.5 cm. Signed in eight. Faux-vellum paper wrap binding. Refreshed endpapers. Printer's mark on title page. A few decorated initials and marginal printed notes.

Pages - 221, [3]

Collation - A-O8. Collates complete, with the last blank leaf.

Condition -

See pictures. Binding worn, with edge wear, creases, etc. Fresh endpapers. Text block with moisture marks from the edges. Some worming at back and front. Text block toned throughout with occasional worming, ink spots, page edge chips, dog-eared pages, thumbing, rust spots, etc. Title page with ex-ownership inscriptions and book-seller marks. Name written on page 7 and 35. A little underlining and annotating on page 46-47, 76-78. Several small marginal tears.