Description

[005251] Homer. [Greek Title] Homeri Ilias, et Veterum in Eam Scholia, Quae Vulgo Appellantur Didymi. Cantabrigiae [Cambridge]: Joann. Hayes, 1689. First Thus. 4to. Hardback. Good. [54], 776pp. Contemporary calf, raised bands, spine in six panels, title and author label to second panel, remaining panels gilt with central lozenge shaped tool and volute corner pieces, double line border to covers, gilt roll to board edges, all edges stained red, combed marbled endpapers

Some wear and light staining to covers, with a couple of minor scrapes, a couple of small splits to head of spine, bottom lower corner worn. Internally lightly browned but generally quite clean, a few pages with lower corners lost, but never affecting text, notes in Greek to rear endpapers. Armorial book plate of Baron Dacre (probably Thomas Barrett Lennard, 17th Baron Dacre (1717-1786)) to front pastedown, engraved by Austin (probably William Austin c.1733-1820, see Alexander, A Biographical Dictionary of British and Irish Engravers 1714-1820, pages 62-64), with another former owner’s name to ffep

Printed in two columns, Greek and Latin, with notes in Greek, including those by Didymus and Stephanus

Dibdin II: 65-66, “a most excellent edition … and is now become rather scarce … The preface is very interesting, and contains much sound criticism”; Harwood, page 2; Young, The Printed Homer, page 196