Carisio - Artis Grammaticae - 1551

Carisio Flavio Sosipatro

Artis Grammaticae Libri quinque

Basileae - 1551 -
Hieronymus Froben - Nicolaus Episcopius

(16), 319, (49)p.
Sign. a-z8 &8.

In 8o - 17,5 X 12 cm. -

IMPORTANT TREATISE OF THE ROMAN GRAMMARIAN AND POLITICIAN CARISIO, WITH FAMOUS FROBEN PRINT.
Enhanced by a fine pigskin binding stamped blind, produced in the workshop of the “Romischen Buchbinders” in Saxony, listed in the EBDB, with the initials
N S F at the upper edge of the front board and the date of execution 1561 at the lower margin.
ADAMS 1344
BM STC German C 1343
VD16, C 2059
SCHWEIGER II, 102

A single copy for sale online, with an anonymous binding, offered at € 8,000.

Second rare edition, supervised by G. Fabricius of Chemnitz, better curated and more detailed than the first Neapolitan edition.

Fundamental textbook for teaching Latin, especially in the newly established princely schools.
Created as a compendium, it contains numerous references to various classical authors of antiquity, in particular Virgil, Horace, and Ovid.

The author, born in Africa in the 4th century AD, gathers and comments on earlier grammatical works such as Remmius Palæmon, which represents a review of previous school grammars, Giulio Romano and Comminiano.

Essential source for Latin grammar and for fragments of ancient poets, such as Ennius and Lucilius, preserved in his manuscripts.

Carisio produced the “Ars Grammatica” in five books, with observations on style and meter, addressed to his son (not a native Latin speaker, as shown by the preface to pp. 1-3 in Keil).

Although partly mutilated, since parts of the first, fourth, and fifth books were lost in antiquity, the text assumes notable importance for us precisely because it is a mere compilation and very faithful, even in form, to the sources: in many passages it returns us to the best tradition of grammatical studies.

In Carisio’s grammar, alongside strictly morphological issues, syntactic questions are also considered.
The “Ars” is built on the usual scheme of Roman grammars, although the fusion of the individual elements is not very organic.

Wonderful contemporary binding in pigskin stamped blind, with date 1561 and initials N - S - F, made in the workshop of the “Romischen Buchbinders” in Saxony, cataloged in the EBDB.
Splendid frames and phytomorphic decorations, still clearly raised, with 10 medallions of antiquity celebrities impressed on each board.
Elaborate and refined decorations also on the sturdy three-ribbed spine.
Excellent conservation.

Very good interior condition as well, with fresh and clean pages.
No defects to report, except for a very slight, physiological browning of the pages.
Original flyleaves preserved.

Excellent copy, very rare to find in such condition of freshness, as the text was fundamental and highly usable at the time for teaching Latin grammar.

Complete and original in every part.
BOUND. COMPLETE