Theocritus. Idyllia cum scholiis [graece], 2 parts in 1, collation: ?4, ?-?8, ?4; ?-?4, ??-??4, Greek type, woodcut device of Callierges to title and that of Benigno to verso of final f., initial spaces with guide-letters, woodcut strapwork head-pieces and decorations, some light staining, mostly marginal, 19th century polished calf, gilt, spine in compartments and with red morocco label, corners little worn, rubbed, 8vo (155 x 96mm.), Rome, Zacharias Callierges for Cornelio Benigno, 15 January, 1516.

⁂ The first edition of Theocritus to include the printing of the scholia, and the second Greek book printed in Rome, with a distinguished provenance. The Cretan Callierges began his Italian printing career in Venice, and then moved to Rome at the invitation of Pope Leo X, where he had a Greek type cast. 'As a printer of Greek, the achievements of Callierges are second only to those of Aldus. as an engraver of Greek type he is in a class by himself' (Barker, Aldus Manutius and the Development of Greek Script and Type, p.75).

Provenance: Dr. William George (1697-1756), Dean of Lincoln and Headmaster of Eton College (see letter from Earl Spencer); John George Spence, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758-1834), politician, bibliophile and first President of the Roxburgh Club (engraved armorial bookplate with shelf mark); gifted by him to Thomas Gaisford (1779-1855), Regius Professor of Greek and later Dean of Christ Church, Oxford (ink gift inscription and an A.Ls from Spencer tipped-in presenting the volume; engraved armorial bookplate of Gaisford and his ms. table of contents in Greek). Spencer writes 'Having understood from Mr. Grenville that you are desirious of referring to the edition of Theocritus printed by Callierges & having fortunately a duplicate copy of that book by me; I have desired Mr Bliss who is returning from here to Oxford to take charge of the volume & beg you would do me the favour to accept it. The copy was in my original library here & formely belonged to Dr George the headmaster of Eton'.

Literature: Adams T460; Mortimer, Italian, 497; K. Staikos, Charta of Greek Printing, pp.412-415