Erasmus, 1515

ERASMUS, Desiderius (1466-1536). Collectanea Adagiorum veterum. [Bound with:] CATO, Dionysius (c.3rd-4th centuries CE). Content in hoc opera sunt haec: Catonis praecepta moralia recognita atque interpretata ab Erasmo Roterdamo… Strasbourg: Matthias Schuerer, April 1515 and March 1516.

Two Erasmian school-texts, with exuberant marginalia from a young contemporary owner. The Adagia, a compilation of ancient proverbs, is one of Erasmus's best known works, first printed in 1500 and then greatly expanded in later editions from Aldus, Froben, and others. Here it is bound with an edition of Erasmus's commentary on Cato's Distichs and several other didactic works, all from the press of Schuerer, Erasmus's main printer in Strasbourg. An early owner, possibly the young Burchard von Tannberg, whose arms appear dated 23 May 1517 on the final leaf, has left many notes in the margins. In 1517, Burchard's father had just died and he seems to have still been quite young, perhaps an ideal reader of Erasmus's educational treatises. A tentative personal motto "Fors Fiat" ("Let There be Luck") has been filled in the blank cartouches on the titles of both works, as well as drawn into a banderole on the pastedown. Other doodles, including armorial designs, animals, faces, and manicules adorn the page edges, alongside notes and other marks from a curious and engaged reader. A very charming copy of two scarce Erasmus editions. First work: Adams E-424; VD16 E 1916; Bibliotheca Erasmiana p. 1; second work: VD16 C 1595; Bibliotheca Erasmiana p. 14.

Two works in one, quarto (202 x 141mm). Woodcut border to titles of both works, printer's device on final leaf of first work (worming at ends, affecting text on last few leaves; some damp and other staining). Contemporary blindstamped half leather spine with old wooden boards perhaps not original to this binding, manuscript pastedowns removed and flyleaves used in their place. Provenance: Burchard von Tannberg (? inscription dated May 1517 with Tannberg arms, extensive annotations) – old erased inscription on title page, "Ex libris Jacob ??"