WITH WOODCUTS BY THE MASTER OF THE GRUNINGER WORKSHOP: Opera cum decem commentis, docte et familiariter exposita. by Virgil (Vergilius Maro, Publius; 70-19 BC) - 1529

Lyons: Lyons; in typographia Jean Crespin, 1529. Full leather. Very Good. The Master of the Grüninger Workshop. WITH WOODCUTS FROM THE FIRST EVER ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF WORKS OF VIRGIL. Folio; two parts in one volme; CCLXVIII, LXXXVIII, [1], CCCCCC, [15]pp. COLLATION: a6, b-q8, r6, aa-ff4, ff8 [ff5-7 removed by the Inquisition]; A6, B-Z8, AA-OO8, PP6, ?8. Separate title page to each part, first title in red and black set within ornate woodcut border. BINDING: contemporary blind-stamped panelled calf over wooden boards (a little worn with spine rebacked and boards recornered), spine with four raised bands, remains of brass hasps and clasps. TEXT: In single column set within double column commentary, typically 51 text and 88 commentary lines per page, main text, commentary and headlines in roman type (A6 with neatly repaired tear within text without loss, early paper panel pasted over a few lines at head of ff8 obliterating text, very occasional stains and smudges, sporadic unobtrusive light staining and spotting, overall a very clean copy). WOODCUTS: Profusely illustrated with 205 woodcuts by the Master of the Grüninger workshop, initially prepared for the Strassburg edition of 1502 edited by Sebastian Brant. By the time Crespin acquired the Grüninger woodcuts they had been used to illustrate Murner's 1515 translation of the Aeneid and Sacon's Opera of 1517 and some were showing signs of wear, but the renaissance mastery of the cuts is nevertheless clear, set as they are in this editions's fine typography. REFERENCES: Adams V474; Mortimer, French, 538 (with 22 ff. removed by the Inquisition); USTC 203548 (citing 23 institutional copies globally, of which 8 in the UK and 1 in the US). Very attractive example of this handsome and rare edition.