Terence.

Comoediae

Strassburg: Johann Gruninger, 1 November 1496. Second illustrated edition. First of the Gruninger printed editions. Folio measuring 290 x 208mm and bound in early sixteenth century German calf over wooden boards with brass clasps, paneled and tooled with the date 1535 stamped onto both covers. Fore-edge lettered in ink "Terentius." Several repairs to spine and some light shelfwear. Bookplate of Abel E. Berland to front pastedown. Collating a6, b-c8, d-z6, A-E6, F8: complete including 165 woodcuts, of which eight are full page. Two woodcuts (b8 recto and c1 verso) colored by hand and one portion colored on b5 recto. Rubricated on the first thirty leaves. Internally pleasing, with several small chips to fore-edge of title, which bears a small tape repair; small rust hole catching several letters on d6; small repair to lower margin of I5; and occasional worming, dampstaining, or cropping to marginalia. In all, an excellent copy with a distinguished provenance, housed in a custom case with chemise.

Considered one of the greatest Roman comic dramatists, Terence was the author of six verse comedies that established what we now know as the comedy of manners. Little is known about his life; enslaved by a Roman senator, Terence eventually gained an education and his freedom. "Most of the information available about Terence relates to his career as a dramatist. During his short life he produces six plays" and enjoyed both popular success as well as facing "the hostility of jealous rivals" (Britannica). The present contains his dramatic oeuvre, beautifully illustrated. (Item #4527)