Sabellico - [Post Incunable] Opera - 1509

POST INCUNABOLO - GOURMONT 1509 : SABELLICO A LUTETIA, IN THE HEART OF THE RENAISSANCE
Rare Paris edition of 1509 of the works of Marco Antonio Sabellico, printed by Gilles de Gourmont, a central figure in the early French humanist typography. Post-incunabolo of great historical and bibliographical interest, the volume testifies to the spread of Venetian erudition across the Alps and fits into the context of Parisian publishing emerging to specialize in humanist texts. The work sits at a crucial moment for the introduction of Greek and Hebrew type in France, a process to which Gourmont contributed pioneeringly, marking a turning point in the history of French typography in the early sixteenth century.
MARKET VALUE
The editions produced by Gilles de Gourmont in the early years of the sixteenth century are sought after for their historical-typographical value, particularly for the printer’s innovative role in introducing Oriental types to Paris between 1507 and 1508. The Paris post-incunabula of this period are today not common on the market, especially in good conservation condition. Complete copies, even with minor defects, generally fetch between 900 and 1,500 euros, with higher figures in the presence of significant provenance or exceptionally fresh conditions.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Modern binding in boards. A sixteenth-century ownership note at the end of the volume, an element of historical interest. Gilles de Gourmont printer’s device at the end of the volume. Overall well-preserved copy, with normal signs of age. Pp. (2); 124 pages; (2).
In old books, with a multisecular history, there may be some imperfections not always noted in the description.

FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Opera.
Lutetiae, Apud Egidium Gourmontium, 1509.
Marco Antonio Sabellico.

CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
Marco Antonio Sabellico was among the principal promoters of Venetian humanist historiography and a notable figure in the Adriatic culture of the late fifteenth century. The Paris edition of 1509 reflects the strong European circulation of Italian texts in the early sixteenth century, when Paris was emerging as a publishing center of growing importance for humanist culture.

Gilles de Gourmont, active in the very early years of the sixteenth century, is remembered for printing between 1507 and 1508 the first books in France with Greek and Hebrew types, introducing technical innovations that would have wide resonance in the European landscape. This edition thus lies in a transitional moment between incunabular tradition and the full maturity of Renaissance typography, constituting a post-incunabolo of significant cultural interest.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Marco Antonio Sabellico (1436–1506), born in Vicenza, was a humanist, historian, and librarian of the Republic of Venice. A student of the Italian humanist tradition, he contributed to the diffusion of classical culture through historical and moral works that enjoyed wide European circulation. His output is situated within the frame of humanist historiography that aimed to renew historical narrative in light of Latin models.

PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
Printed in Paris in 1509, the edition testifies to French reception of Italian humanism and the cultural dialogue between Venice and the French capital. Gourmont's workshop, active in these crucial years, was distinguished by technical innovation and openness to philologically demanding texts. Editions by this printer, especially in the early years of activity, are today not easy to find, particularly in complete copies.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
Renouard, Philippe, Imprimeurs parisiens du XVIe siècle, s.v. Gourmont.
Brunet, Jacques-Charles, Manuel du libraire et de l’amateur de livres, s.v. Sabellicus.
USTC, Universal Short Title Catalogue, record for the Lutetiae 1509 edition.
ICCU / OPAC SBN, possible holdings in Italian libraries.
Adams, Catalogue of Books Printed on the Continent of Europe 1501–1600 (for Sabellico editions in the early sixteenth century).