Folio: 393-[2, 1 bl.] pp. Woodcut mark on title. Entirely printed in Greek: ""GRECS du ROI"". grotesque Greek initials and matching headpieces by G. Tory. (washed, occasional faint dampstaining). 18th-c. polished calf, blind ornamental border on covers, gilt flat spine with morocco label, gilt sides, sp. edges (sl. rubbed, corners bumped). Very good copy
Editio princeps of Appian's histories of the Roman wars. The edition was begun by Robert Estienne and completed and printed by Charles Estienne after Robert's departure from Paris. This book is ""the supreme example of the use of the Royal Greek types ... the first classical text printed in all three sizes of the 'GRECS DU ROI' ..."" (Schreiber). ""One of the most exquisite books printed from these fonts is Charles and Robert Estienne's Greek edition of Appian... All three sizes of type are used in it. The type in mass, and the proportion and imposition of the titlepage, are very splendid, and there is another reason for looking at it. The superb decorations and initials by Tory... are wonderful, in their accord with the color of the Greek text, in their printable qualities, and their grace of design"" (Updike, Printing Types, I, pp. 237-238). Ref. Renouard 102:4. - Schreiber 126. - Adams A-1340 - Mortimer French 29. Prov. Unidentified armorial bookpl. with device 'Victoria Concordia Crescit' (partly erased)
