Homeri Opera. [The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer].

HOMER,.

$8,800.00

Item Number: 143357

Glasgow: Robert & Andrew Foulis, 1756-1758.

First edition of the Foulis Homer; the typographic masterpiece of the Foulis Press, and one of the finest editions of Homer. Folio, 4 volumes bound in full tree calf, rebacked with gilt titles and Greek key ruling to the spine, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, Greek key ruling to the front and rear panels, text in Greek. Vols. I and II lacking the half-titles as usual. Provenance: John Hope (1868-1936) with his stamp to the title pages. Ownership signatures of Henry Schwab. In very good condition. Housed in a custom slipcase. An excellent example of this typographic gem.

"The partnership of the Foulis brothers marked the most significant period for Glasgow in publishing and printing during the eighteenth century. They printed some 586 editions together during their active partnership, 1744–75, producing books at a rate which varied from nine in 1764 to forty-three in 1751, an average of almost seventeen a year... Of greatest significance, however, were the four volumes of the works of Homer issued in 1756–8 in folio...The Homer was financed by an informal group of professors at Glasgow led by William Rouat...The texts were printed in a new fount of Greek type designed and cut by the Glasgow typefounder Alexander Wilson." (DNB). "'One of the most splendid editions of Homer ever delivered to the world' says Harwood, 'and I am informed that its accuracy is equal to its magnificence.' The reader, on perusing the preface, will see with what pains this sumptuous work was executed; each sheet, before it was finally committed to the press, was six times corrected by various literary men" (Dibdin). Accurate and typographically splendid, the edition was edited by Professors Moor and Muirhead, and was awarded the Silver Medals of the Select Society of Edinburgh in 1756 and 1757.