Demosthenes, Orationes, Venice, Sons of Aldo, 1549, early limp vellum, first Aldine edition

Demosthenes. Demosthenis Orationes quatuor contra Philippum, a Paulo Manutio latinitate donatae. Venice: Sons of Aldo Manuzio, 1549

First Aldine edition, dedicated to Jean Morvilliers and translated by Paolo Manuzio, of the four Philippics of Demosthenes (348-322 BC). These public orations were made to rally the Athenians against Philip of Macedon, who was beginning his conquest of Greece.

4to (205 x 141 mm). Roman type, 25 lines plus headline. collation: A-N⁴: 52 leaves. Woodcut Aldine device on title-page. (Expurgated words to B2 recto and verso, N2 with a small hole at lower corner, some foxing.)

binding: Early limp vellum (208 x 145 mm), three leather bands piercing covers at spine, traces of two pairs of ties, "DEMOSTH ORATION" in ink on top edge. (Some chips and spots.)

provenance: Faded inscription on flyleaf — Francesco Pastorio, of Castiglione delle Stiviere, inscription on title-page dated 1756 — Replica Shoes 's London, 26-27 January 1976, lot 326. acquisition: Purchased at Replica Shoes 's by T. Kimball Brooker. references: UCLA 386; Renouard 146/6; Edit16 16739; USTC 826504