MACROBE. - Lot 20

MACROBE. In Somnium Scipionis M. Tullii Ciceronis Libri duo, Et Saturnaliorum Lib. VII. Cum scholiis & indicibus Ascensianis. Addito libello argutissimo Censorini de die Natali, subsequente eiusdem indice. [Paris]: Josse Bade, [1524]. - 2 parts in one in-folio volume, half parchment with corners, spine ribbed (18th century binding). Rare and esteemed edition published by Josse Bade, who revised the text from his 1519 edition published with Joannes Rivius, and added a very detailed index. It brings together the two main texts by the Neoplatonist philosopher Macrobius, namely his commentaries on Cicero's "Scipio's Dream" and "The Saturnalia". The treatise "De Die natali" ("Of the natal day") by the grammarian Censorinus (02..-02..) follows in a separate folio. The edition is illustrated with a fine frame on the title, with the mark of Josse Bade, as well as 10 woodcuts, a map and 6 diagrams or graphs in the text. A copy in a modest 18th-century binding, from the library of Jean-Baptiste Maurier, avocat au parlement de Paris, who died in 1748. It contains several old notes in the margins of some leaves. Spine missing, restoration to last box, marbled paper on boards soiled and torn, with several places missing. Light soiling and wetness on title, small worm gallery in margin of first 5 leaves. Restored tears to folio CIIII, with damage to text. Provenance: Jean-Baptiste Maurier, with bookplate. - Signature "Richeboit"? on first flyleaf. - Ludovic Froissart, with bookplate.