Rare 1568 edition of Aesop. Aesopi Phrygis et Aliorum Fabulae. Neuber, Nuremberg

A fun (literally) 16th century printing of Aesop's fables, due to a selection of jokes from Poggio Bracciolini's Liber Facetiarum (credited as being the first joke book) being added to the rear.

This 1568 Aesop edition is quite scarce (I'll even use the word "rare", which I normally avoid at all costs), I can't find a single example in the world's libraries (see the bibliographic notes below for more information). That being said, Neuber (the Nuremberg printer) printed editions of this work in numerous years, of which there are a handful of other years in the world's libraries.

Since Aesop was a popular 16th century educational work, Neuber was likely reprinting them because they were being bought by new students; this is conjecture, based on the popularity of Aesop at the time, the handful of times Neuber printed this work, Neuber's music works which we know were used in scholastic settings, and considers the fact that Neuber's ex-publishing partner, Katharina Gerlachin, was officially named the printer to a University after the dissolution of her partnership with Neuber.

This copy holds a nice easter-egg at the rear. On the last leaf are several lines of musical staff, with notes and some annotations, dated 1574.

Beyond Aesop, there's a little additional in this printing, the title roughly translating as:

Aesop's Phrygian and Other Fables. To these are added, according to the Hecatomythion Secondum of Abstemius. Some others of uncertain interpretation, together with selected Poggius's jokes.

About Aesop's Fables in the 16th century (from Gemini) -

“In 16th-century Europe, particularly within the circles of Protestant Germany, Aesop's Fables were more than just moral tales; they were a significant tool in the religious and social reforms of the era. Reformers like Martin Luther championed their use, viewing the fables as a biblically sound way to teach Christian ethics and critique the perceived corruption of the Catholic Church. They saw in the animal characters a mirror for human behavior, using the allegories to instruct the populace on virtues like piety, humility, and the rejection of worldly excess. The printing press facilitated the widespread distribution of these fables, often with added commentary that explicitly linked the stories to Protestant theology and social critique. As a result, the fables were integrated into the educational system and household instruction, serving as a didactic bridge between classical wisdom and the emerging Protestant worldview.”

About the Hecatomythium (Gemini) -

Note: This copy contains the "Secondum" noted below.

"The Hecatomythium of Laurentius Abstemius is a collection of 100 original fables written in Latin in the late 15th century. The work is known for its sharp social satire, which includes criticism of the church and clergy. Abstemius (c. 1440–1508) later published a sequel, Hecatomythium Secundum, with another 97 fables. Many of Abstemius's fables follow the familiar Aesopian style, using animals to satirize human behavior. For example, in the tradition of "The Lion and the Mouse," Abstemius wrote a fable (De leone et mure) where the grateful mouse is accidentally stepped on by the lion's daughter, whom the mouse asked for in marriage."

About Poggio Bracciolini's Jokes from Gemini -

Note: per the title page, this book only contains selections from the below

"Poggio Bracciolini's jokes are a collection of anecdotes and witty tales compiled in his work, Liber Facetiarum ("Book of Jokes"). Published in the mid-15th century, it is considered the first printed joke book and had a significant influence on later humorous literature."

Bibliographic Details-

I have searched and searched the USTC for this edition, using numerous search terms, and just can't find a copy.

Worldcat lists the edition, but says no libraries hold a copy (be sure to check, "this edition"): USTC number 634926465

Just to be sure it's not some odd fake title page, I found a catalogue detailing the book in 1923 (Bibliotheca Belgica, V1, 1923, page A191) and they noted that it descended from the 1534 Antwerp edition. They also note that their copy was missing the last leaf.

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 10 x 15 x 2.5 cm. Binding with fore-edge and spine of black leather in case style, with decorative paper boards and a label applied (with a computer printed decoration from the title page). All text block edges washed red. Binding protected in blue clamshell. Title page with a decorative frame. A few decorated initials.

Pages – xxiv, 263, [1]

Collation – A-S8

Condition -

See pictures. Fresh clamshell and binding (dated 2005) with a few small rubs and marks but mostly quite fresh. Also fresh binder’s endpapers.

Title page repaired along fore-edge, appears washed (date inscription along bottom edge is almost faded away). Some toning to text block throughout, with occasional fox spots. Some thumbing, dog-eared corners, etc. A page-like inscription, in an old hand, at the top corner of each recto. Circa 1 cm worm track at bottom of leaf A2. All fables numbered, and occasional annotations through page 118. Occasional ink spots. Some of the annotations trimmed by later binding. Face drawn on initial on 110. Ink smudge on 119. Small repair at top margin of 117-122. More ink smudges 122/123. Bottom corner of 189/190 repaired. Bottom of last two leaves repaired.

Last two lines in manuscript on last leaf recto. On verso, a pieces of music has been written in, with some writing dated 1574.