APULÉE.

Commentarii a Philippo Beroaldo conditi in Asinum aureum lucii Apuleii. S.l.n.d. [on the colophon] : Venice, Simon Bevilaqua, April 29, 1501. In-folio, brown basane, double gilt fillet, spine decorated, speckled edges (17th century binding). Essling, n°1321. Second edition of the humanist commentary by Philippe Béroalde (1453-1505) on the Golden Ass of Apuleius (2nd century). The title is printed in gothic characters, on four lines; the text and the commentary which frames it are printed in Roman characters. The dedicatory epistle is decorated with a very beautiful xylographic frame which had already been used in the edition of the Dante of Venice of March 1491. A precious copy of Guillaume Pellicier (ca. 1490-1568), bishop of Montpellier and French ambassador to Venice. This erudite and literate clergyman, whose manuscript bookplate is affixed to the title, was a distinguished bibliophile: during his stay in Venice, he continuously employed twelve copyists to transcribe Greek manuscripts in order to enrich the library of François I. Manuscript bookplate of the Jesuits of Aix (Domus Aquensis Societatis Jesu). Numerous 16th century handwritten annotations and initials in the text and margins. Staining throughout the volume, mainly in the back of the quires. Binding very restored.