C. Valerius Catullus Veronensis

Catullus, C. Valerius; Volpi, Gian Antonio (editor)

Published by Josephus Cominus, Patavii [Padua], 1737

Originally issued collectively with Albius Tibullus E.R., and Sex. Aurelius Propertius (1710), here with material not found in that earlier edition. Quarto (10 5/8 x 7 1/2 in; 270 x 189 mm). xl, 608, [1, errata], [1, colophon], [2, blank] pp. Title page engraving. Head- tailpieces. Historiated initial. Includes Vopi's essay, De Metris Catulli, commentary, bibliographical references and index. Contemporary full vellum. Calf spine label. All edges dappled in red and yellow. Stab-stitch holes manifest. Text block crisp and clean. A remarkable copy of a scarce book, here in its fine original eighteenth century vellum binding with decorated edges. Catullus, a poet in the late Roman Republic, was one of the neoterics, a group of avant-garde authors who turned away from epic Homeric poetry in favor more humble themes and a focus on craft (meter, allusion, etc). "Gian Antonio Volpi, born at Padua in 1686, studied in his native town and became a good Latin and Greek scholar. In 1717 he and his brother Gaetano Volpi established a printing press in their house for the purpose of bring out correct editions of classic authors, and they engaged for their assistant the printer Giuseppi Comino. This press - known by the name Volpi-Cominiana, produced among others a valuable edition of Catullus with copious notes. The edition was much commended by scholars, and the city of Verona struck a gold medal, which was presented to Volpi" (Long). "'This is in every respect,'.'the best edition of Catullus yet published; the text is exhibited in a more correct manner, and the notes of Vulpius are very valuable.' According to Ernesti and Harles, the notes of Vulpius are not so much in emendation of the text, as in illustration of the poet by selecting parallel passages from ancient and modern writers" (Dibdin I). For many years professor of philosophy and rhetoric at University of Padua, Volpi went blind in his old age and died in 1766. Fine. Seller Inventory # 6220

Bibliographic Details

Title: C. Valerius Catullus Veronensis
Publisher: Josephus Cominus, Patavii [Padua]
Publication Date: 1737
Condition: Fine
Edition: First separate Volpi edition.