1581 Justinus (Justin), Trogi Pompeii Historiarum Philippicarum epitoma. 1st edition with Jacques Bongars as editor. Du Puys, Paris

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1581 first edition of Jacques Bongars' well-respected, researched and annotated abridgement of the second century's Epitome, by Justin, which Justin gathered from the chronicles of the kings of Macedonia, also known as the Philippic Histories, written in the first century by Trogus (a work lost to history, apart from excerpts used by other authors and Justin's work).

This copy with the rarish, and more attractive, title page of Jacobum du Puys. There is a more common state, where Du Val supplied the title page. Both printer's supplied title pages for the same printing. This was sometimes done to provide entrance into fairs (like Frankfurt, where a printing had to be a first edition), to gain access to a wider market, and/or to share the printing costs.
About the Work -

This edition of Justin's excerpts of Trogus is noted; the editor, Jacques Bongars, did his best to prepare this edition from ancient manuscript fragments, etc.. Bongars also includes, for the first time, his explanatory notes, a prologue (drawing on just-found Trogus manuscripts), and a list of variants (known ms. examples of Justin's work). A very thorough work, and noted as such by Brunet.

Justin was a 2nd century Roman, who collected the most important excerpts from a forty-four volume history work of a 1st century Roman, Trogus. Although Justin's work is labelled as a history of Kings, the text's frequent divergence has earned it a broader "history" label through the ages.

Physical Attributes -

Book measures approx. 17 x 11.5 x 3 cm (octavo). Limp vellum binding, with the title (faded) in an old-hand on spine. Pages - xvi, 337, index - xix, 162, colophon. Two parts in one.

Condition -

See pictures. Limp vellum binding well-worn, with soiling, edge wear, slight-waviness, spine title faded, etc.. Leather ties expired.

Many bookseller notes on blank endpapers; notes Brunet mentioning Bongars. Flyleaf mounted.

Wide healthy margins throughout. Unfortunately, there is a moisture mark throughout, mostly light. Some thumbing. Occasional fox spot. "S" written on "S" on 112. Page 129 has tear from bottom edge, partially repaired with matching wove paper pasted across bottom margin. Page 248 was dog-eared at printing, and then printed over the dog-ear; unique, first time I've seen this. A few ink spots along fore-edge of text block.

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