P. Vergilii Maronis codex antiquissimus […] qui nunc in Bibliotheca Medico-Laurentiana adservatur […] typis descriptus […].

4to: XXXV [= 35]-[1]-459 pp. (occ. marg. toning).

Contemp. vellum, flat spine with paper label, red edges (soiled). Very good copy.

First printed ed., the most complete and ancient manuscript of the works of Vergil, now preserved at the Laurentian Library in Florence. The ed., planned and edited by Vatican librarian and philologist Pier Francesco Foggini, was printed in red and black with types imitating the rustic capitals of the original. It represents the first typographic facsimile of any manuscript, and as such is an important event in the history of printing. Page xv of the preface includes an engraved vignette illustrating a few lines of the original manuscript. Engr. title, dedication leaf and vignettes. Title (and some other pp.) printed in red and black.
Ref. Updike, Printing Types I:171.
Prov. Library ticket.