LABBE, Philippe (1607-1667) - [HISTORIAE BYZANTINAE SCRIPTORES] - Historiae Byzantinae scriptores [..] Prokopiou Kaisareos Ton kat'auton historion tetras deutera (e altri titoli a seguire). Venice: ex typographia Bartholomaei Javarina, 1729.   A copy with wide margins and with splendid engraved plates and maps of this extraordinary collection in 30 volumes of all the important historical sources of the Eastern Roman-Byzantine Empire. The author of this titanic work was the French Jesuit Philippe Labbe, who provided the canon and the basis for this gigantic edition. The extraordinary editorial project forms the basis of all research and knowledge of Byzantine history, from its beginnings with the founding of Constantinople through Crusader rule in the 13th century, to the fall of the empire in 1453, as well as sources on the Turks and the Ottoman Empire. In addition to the chronicles, there are also descriptions of the city of Constantinople, such as the important one by Anselm Banduri, accompanied by numerous illustrations with views of the city, coins and interesting plates and folding maps.   The work was first published in Paris from 1648. In this second edition, the previously available textual editions were reprinted and supplemented by others. The Corpus was continued in the spirit of Labbe until the mid-19th century; Graesse lists 39 volumes, to which numerous other supplements and new editions have appeared; Instead, Brunet cites 23 volumes in 27 or 35 volumes (Graesse I, 587; Brunet I, 1437).   30 volumes, folio (380 x 264mm). Half-titles, text in Greek and Latin, title of first volume printed in red and black with engraved vignette, other titles with engraved vignettes, some other elegant engraved headpieces and numerous illustrations, some full-page, especially in volume 25, i.e. volume II of the Imperium orientale sive antiquitates constantinopolitane, with beautiful views of Constantinople and its monuments, and in volume 28 with numerous full-page illustrations of both coins and maps, a folding letterpress table with the genealogical tree of the emperors of Constantinople in volume 26; there are a total of 14 engraved plates, 6 of which are folding and 7 with reproductions of coins, 2 large format engraved maps on strong paper loosely inserted in volume 24 (some dampstaining, few sporadic restorations, occasional light worming in the text). Contemporary vellum with gilt titles on spine, on red label in vol. 13, blue edges (minor staining and light wear). In the absence of a bibliographical references regarding the number of plates present in the work and not having found a collation of the text, the lot is sold as described and not subject to return. (30)

Estimate € 4,000 - 6,000

Sold € 5,500