ARISTOFANE (a.C. 450 - ca. 385 a.C.) - Marco MUSURO (c. 1470-1517; curatore) - Comoediae Novem (testo in greco). Venice: Aldo Manuzio, 15 luglio 1498.   Editio princeps of this elegant typographical masterpiece by Aldus Manutius. In this first edition, Aldo presents to the most refined lovers of ancient letters of the Italian Renaissance 9 of the 11 complete plays by Aristophanes taken from the manuscripts survived and discovered. It would have been Aldo's intention to also include a tenth play, Lysistrata, but he did not do so as he could not find a manuscript that contained the complete text. In his dedication to Daniele Clario, Dalmatian teacher of Greek, Aldo states that it is time to turn to the great Greek literature and Aristophanes' plays are sent to Clario as the best guide to immerse in the purity of the ancient language. Manutius also remembers the answer that Theodore Gaza gave to those who asked which author he would recommend for learning the Greek language: "only Aristophanes".   This precious edition was produced under the supervision of Marco Musuro, a recognized and esteemed scholar, commissioned by the Venetian Senate to supervise the publications of Aldus Manutius. Musuro was part of the academy founded by Manutius for the study of ancient manuscripts in order to publish the most suitable and pure works.   Folio (305 x 208mm). 347 (of 348) leaves (without final blank T6), with blank K8, text in Greek with few parts in Latin, initials and woodcut headpieces (some light occasional marginal waterstaining, minimal stain, but rather extensive in center top margin of the final leaves); there are two blank later leaves inserted between X1 and X2. 20th-century vellum, panelled spine with the author's name in gilt in the upper compartment and editorial data in the lower (modern endpapers, minimal staining, texblock split and front joint starting). Provenance: some ancient annotations in Greek - Society of Writers to Her Majest's Signet (bookplate) - Fiammetta Soave (two paper labels attesting the collection of the well-known antiquarian bookseller from Rome active between the 20th-and-21st centuries) - Chrisitie's Rome, auction 2351 of Important Aldine editions, lot no. 6, June 16, 1999: sold for $ 27,681.   The lot is accompanied by a export license.

Estimate € 18,000 - 25,000

Sold € 22,000