Paulus Aegineta. Medici optimi, Libri septem, collation: [?]4, a-r8, s4 (fol. d2 signed d3), complete with blank leaf [?]4, [4], 138, [2]ff., Greek text, woodcut Aldine device on title and verso of final leaf, blank spaces for capitals with printed guide letters, printed on strong paper, title and some leaves browned and spotted, early ink stains, water-stain in lower blank margin of final leaves, minor loss to lower outer blank corner of fol. d5, blank upper outer corner of last leaf repaired and renewed, extensive marginal and interlinear annotations and emendations in an early hand, note on fol. m5r in a different hand, pencil bibliographic notes on rear pastedown, modern calf in antique style, covers framed within blind fillets, gilt floral tools at each corner, spine with seven raised bands, compartments decorated in gilt with small foliate motifs, folio, 305 x 203mm., Venice, Heirs of Aldus Manutius and Andrea Torresanus, August, 1528.

⁂ Editio princeps of the Byzantine physician Paul of Aegina's works, edited by Andrea Torresano's son Gian Francesco, and set in the third Aldine Greek type, first used by Aldus Manutius in 1499 and possibly modelled on Marcus Musurus's hand (N. Barker, Aldus Manutius and the Development of Greek Script & Type, New York 1992, p. 59). The text is introduced by a preface by Torresano addressed to Doctor Stephanus, i.e. Stephen Gardiner (c.1483 -1555), former secretary of cardinal Thomas Wolsey and later bishop of Winchester, who at the time was sent as ambassador to Rome to discuss Henry VIII's divorce with Pope Clemens VII. During his journey Gardiner spent some days in Venice, and his stay in the city is mentioned in Gian Francesco Torresano's preface.

The manuscript used for the publication was copied by the Greek scribe Manuel Pancratios in 1312. It is today preserved in the Bibliòtheque Nationale de France (Par. gr. 2210), and bears Gian Francesco Torresano's ownership inscription.

Literature: Adams P-488; Wellcome 4861; Durling 3547; Renouard Alde, 106.5; Cataldi Palau, 117; Ahmanson-Murphy, 221; G.M. Bell, A Handlist of British Diplomatic Representatives (1509-1688), London 1999, p. 162.