1485 – Martial – Epigrammata | Venice Incunable Folio – Calderinus Commentary

Martial was a 1st-century Roman poet from Spain most-known for his Epigrams. This important, early piece of Roman literature expresses details of life in Rome focusing in on the brutal daily life during the Roman Empire. Martial describes living conditions of Rome, corrupt physicians and senators, cruel treatment of slaves, and secrets and rumors of emperors. Because of the style of Martial’s writing, he is often considered the first insult comic, as he used humor to disguise his disdain for the life with which he was so familiar.

This incredibly rare 1485 Venice printing of Martial is considered supremely rare. Incunable printings from the 1480s are some of the most desirable printed works and this is no exception. In fact, this particular example is entirely complete, not lacking any text whatsoever. This edition also features the commentary of Domitius Calderinus.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: [Epigrammata] Domitii Calderini Veronensis Commentarii in M. Valerium Martialem ad clarissimu[m] uirum Laurentium Medicen. Florentinum Petri Medicis
• Author(s): Marcus Valerius Martialis
• Contributor(s): Domitius Calderinus (Commentator)
• Publisher: Venetiis, Per Baptistam de tortis
• Edition: Incunable, 1485
• Binding: Vellum spine with marbled hardcover boards
• Format: Folio, single volume
• Size:  12.5 in x 9 in (31.75 cm x 22 cm)
• Collation: 344 unnumbered pages;
  • Signatures: a–u⁸, x–y⁶
• Illustrations: printer’s device on leaf y6
• Contents Include:
  • Epigrammata, Latin text
  • Commentarii by Domitius Calderinus
• Reference(s): ISTC im00308000; Goff M 308; HC 10819*; Proctor 4631; BMC V 324; GW M 21292

Condition:

Very Good. Vellum spine retains gilt title; boards show wear at edges and corners. Binding secure. Noticeable worming to the final ten leaves; text generally legible.

Why Collect This?

• Complete, Venetian incunable dated 1485
• Recorded in major incunable bibliographies
• Suitable for anyone collecting high value rare books

Item Number: #50063