Plutarch - Michael Herr - Plutarchi von Cheronea guter Sitten einundzwentzig Bücher - 1535

Rare first edition of Plutarch in German - with decorative woodcut initials - 1535

Author
Plutarch (around 45 in Chaireon - around 125).

Greek writer. He authored numerous biographical and philosophical writings that demonstrate his extensive literary and philosophical education and scholarship. In the history of Greek literature, he is regarded as one of the most important representatives of Atticism. Sometimes he is considered one of the historians, but although his biographies often contain valuable historical material, he was not interested in exploring the past for its own sake; rather, he focused on character studies and moral exemplarity. He depicted well-known historical figures whom he saw as moral role models—some also as cautionary examples. Through comparisons, Plutarch aimed to highlight what was common and universally valid, illustrating to the reader the equal importance of Greek and Roman achievements. Plutarch’s parallel biographies are a pinnacle of ancient biographical literature. As a philosopher, he identified with the tradition of Platonism. (Source: excerpt from Wikipedia).

Title
Plutarch of Cheronea wrote twenty-one books on good morals.

translator
Dr. Michael Herr (born in Speyer - died in 1550 or 1551 in Strasbourg).

He studied at Heidelberg University and later settled in Strasbourg as a doctor and translator for Latin and Greek.

Drucker
Hans Schott, Strasbourg, 1535.

Description
Extremely rare first edition of Plutarch's 'Moralia' in the German translation by the Strasbourg doctor and writer Michael Herr. The work is a treatise on morality and good manners in all areas of life, composed across 21 books.
Introductory with a broad architectural wooden cut title border. The print is decorated with some larger figurative woodcut initials as well as woodcut decorative moldings.

The table of contents is particularly inventive, as it provides information about the entire work in both prose and verse form.
The following books are included:
To establish a civil police force.
From the prince, to require emptiness and wisdom.
The white men should hold many conversations with princes.
How one should master anger.
How the hypocrite can truly be recognized before a true friend.
How to gain from the enemy.
Of excessive, humorous, useless worry.
Certifications and prohibitions concerning the state.
Of child-rearing.
Of the virtues and deeds of the old honest women.
How one should maintain good health.
That illnesses of the mind are more severe than those of the body.
The difference between envy and hatred.
From the excess of desire, the empire's realm.
That one should not be lazy.
Love is expressed so greatly.
If it is truly spoken, live therefore, that no one feels it, whether you have lived.
Of peace and reproach of the mind.
To speak between drunkenness and wisdom.
From the delay and slower judgment of God.

Especially noteworthy is the extremely good condition of the piece, which is also absolutely complete.

Equipment
Single-column print, Roman pagination.
Sheet: 31.5 x 19.5 cm. Text: 25 x 17 cm.
With a broad architectural woodcut border, several figurative woodcut initials, and woodcut decorative moldings.

Collation
4 unnumbered pages, including title, preface, and content, 296 numbered pages, 3 unnumbered pages of index. Complete.

cover
Cover made from an original Antiphonar manuscript on parchment with a parchment spine from the 19th century. The cover is only minimally rubbed. The book block is firm and stable.
Folio. Dimensions: 32 x 21.5 x 3 cm.

state
Excellent condition. Very strong impression and firm rag paper. Pages are evenly toned with only slight browning. The title is somewhat dusty and stained. Otherwise, nearly free of stains.

References
Literature: VD 16 P 3686; not available at Adams and BM STC.

We hereby confirm the originality and impeccable provenance of the offered work. It is free from third-party rights at the time of sale.

Information on shipping, customs, and export
The shipping costs include careful packaging of the items as well as insured shipping to the respective destination country.

For shipments outside the EU with a purchase price of currently 1,000 EURO or more (as of 2023), customs documents must be requested. We handle this service for the buyer. The associated costs of 60 EURO are already included in the displayed shipping costs. The customs authorities' processing time takes approximately 2-3 days.