Lucian of Samosata. Deorum Dialogi numero 70, collation: a-x⁴, [84]ff., text in Greek and Latin, title in red and black, headings and two initials on fols. a2v e a3r printed in red, each page of Greek text with decorative typographic border to left hand side, a few leaves uniformly browned, minor foxing to upper blank margin, lower blank margin of some leaves water-stained, title stained and with ink shelfmark 'XXXXIII. K 22', possibly in a 19^th-century hand, contemporary wallet binding of limp vellum, sewing visible on spine, traces of glue, from early paper label pasted to upper cover and old stitched repair also to upper cover, lower cover slightly stained, minor loss to spine, 4to, 202 x 152mm., Strasbourg, Johann Schott, 1515.

⁂ A fine, unsophisticated copy in a contemporary wallet binding of this early edition of Lucian's Dialogues, printed in Strasbourg, which at the beginning of the 16^th century was one of the most important German centres of the printing industry. The text was edited by the humanist from Strasbourg, Ottmar Nachtgall (c.1487-1537), also known as Luscinius, who introduced the study of Greek in his hometown, preparing Greek grammars and texts for the use of teachers, students, or generally adults interested in learning the language. The Greek texts are here supplemented with parallel Latin translations.

Provenance: Two early owners from Bratislava in Slovakia (Posonium, Presburg): 16^th-century ownership inscription 'Ioannis Talirasy posoniensis Liber [?] eius exhibitus ab optimo [?] Magistro Cristophoro', written in red and partly erased with red ink; Hans Teilkes von Presburg (engraved ex-libris on rear pastedown).

Literature: Ritter 1388; Chrisman A2.211; Muller II, 35; M. Baumbach, Lukian in Deutschland. Eine forschungs-und rezeptionsgeschichtliche Analyse von Humanismus bis zur Gegenwart, München 2002.