Josephus, Flavius | The first printing of Josephus in the original Greek

Josephus, Flavius

Opera. Basel: Froben, 1544. [Bound with:] Flavius Arrianus. Ponti Euxini. [And:] Maris Eryrhraei periplus. Geneva: Eustathium Vignon, 1577

2 works in one volume, folio (318 x 203 mm). Josephus text in Greek, title-page printed in red and black with printer’s device, device on final page, Arrianus in Greek and Latin, title-page with printer’s device, with a folding map of the Black Sea and conforming to Adams A-2015, the Pembroke copy, with ¶2 after I6; first work with intermittent minor foxing, about 20 leaves more noticeably (but never severely) foxed, a couple of dozen leaves with mild browning, final leaf with two early repaired tears, the second work with the same minor foxing or browning, but with half a dozen leaves noticeably browned, one with conspicuous marginal foxing (but the map unaffected by browning and foxing). Contemporary blind-paneled pigskin over beveled boards, covers with multiple frames of decorative rolls, including one of the Virtues (Faith, Hope, Patience, Prudence, Justice), upper cover stamped with initials “F I M” and the date “1580,” spine in five compartments, early ink titling on fore-edge, original brass clasps and catches incorporating pigskin thongs; binding a bit yellowed at spine and edges, a couple of light scratches to boards.

Editio princeps of Josephus's works on Jewish antiquities and the Jewish Wars, together with another significant work on Classical world: Arrian’s account of his circumnavigation of the Black Sea, which seems to contain the earliest map to show separately the immediate region of that body of water. 

REFERENCE:

Adams J-351; VD16 J 955; USTC 683976; Adams A-2015. For the binding, see Haebler II, 286 #6 (“source unknown”)

PROVENANCE:

Carmelite stamp on title-page — W. P. Perrin, Bloomsbury Square (1742–1820; armorial bookplate)