Opera

Venice: Vernardinus de Choris, de Cremona, and Simon de Luere, for Andreas Torresanus, 1491. Venice: Bernardinus de Choris and Simon de Luere for Andreas Torresanus, August, 13 1491. [And:] FICINO, Marsilio. Platonica theologia de immortalitate animorum. Venice: 13 August 1491.

Second edition of the works of Plato. Folio (11 7/8 x 8 inches; 301 x 206 mm). [4], 444 leaves. Printed in Gothic type in double columns. With beautifully illuminated initials and border to the first text leaf. Numerous illuminated 7, 8, 9 and 10-line initials heightened in gilt with blue, red and green backgrounds. The initial letter will extend beyond the letter with illumination 5-7 lines both up and down. Additional 3, 4, 5 and 7-line initials in red, blue or gold. The first leaf of text (a1) with two large illuminated initials and a full illuminated border with red, green, blue and gilt scrolls, floral motifs and a shield surrounded by a wreath.

This is the first edition to include Ficino's great work Platonica Theologia which was not included in the 1484 edition as Ficino first published his work in 1482. Marsilio Ficino's Latin translation.

Second editions of Ficino's translation of Plato's work (first published 1484), as well as his chief philosophical work, the Platonica theologia in which he attempts to illustrate the harmony between Platonism and Christian theology (first published 1482), and this edition is the first to collect both works together in one. With only one complete copy of the 1484 first edition at auction since the the copy that came up in the 1940s. This copy sold in 2021 for $1,026,000. This present edition is realistically the first obtainable edition of Plato's works.

18th-century acid treated calf. Spine with orange morocco spine label, lettered in gilt. All edges dyed yellow and speckled red. Newer endpapers. A small amount of old ink neat marginalia. A small repaired hole to the title-page, not affecting text, just the top edge of some illumination on verso. A very clean and beautiful copy with lovely illumination. Overall a very good copy of the second edition and first obtainable edition of Plato's Opera.

Plato was the first of the ancient philosophers to appear in print, and for nearly thirty years Ficino's translation was the only published version available, until the appearance of the Greek 'editio princeps' in 1513. Ficino's translation took twenty years to complete, and during this time he was assisted by members of the Platonic Academy founded by his patron, Cosimo de Medici, whose ambition was to revive the study of Platonic philosophy.

"Amidst a great diversity, both of subject and treatment, the dialogues are pervaded by two dominant impulses: a love of truth and a passion for human improvement. While nowhere is a definite system laid down, it has been truly said that the germs of all ideas can be found in Plato." ("Printing and the Mind of Man" # 27, for 1484 edition).

BMC V, 465 (IB. 23432); IGI 7861; Polain(B) 3190; Goff P-772; PMM 27.

HBS 68663.

$75,000.