‎EMMIUS,U. ‎
‎Graecorum Respublicae, ab Ubbone Emmio descriptae. ‎

‎Leiden (Lugd. Batavorum), Ex officina Elzeviriana, 1632. ‎

Reference : 120234

‎24mo. 2 parts in 1: 426,(6 index);323,(7 index & privilegium) p. Calf 11.5 cm (Ref: Willems 364; Berghman 1573; Rahir 345; Ebert 6690) (Details: Back and boards with blind tripple fillet borders. Title engraved by C.C.D(uysend), it depicts around the text of the title a floral cartouche, on top of which rests an eagle (aquila) with spread wings, holding in its talons the deadly thunderbolts (fulmina) of Jupiter. The eagle was called by Aristotle for the lordly manner with which it looked over the earth 'divine among birds'. (HA 619b.6) The eagle is flanked by an owl (wisdom) and two 'kissing' pigeons. The second part has its own title, on it a woodcut printer's mark featuring an old man who stands in the shade of a vine-entwined elmtree, symbolising the symbiotic relationship between scholar and publisher. The motto is enigmatic: 'Non solus' , probably indicating the interdependency of publisher and scholar. They cannot do it alone, and need each other) (Condition: Binding scuffed, corners bumped. Endpapers detached) (Note: Ubbo Emmius, 1547-1625, born in Eastern Friesland was appointed professor of History and Greek literature at the newly established University of Groningen in 1614, where he became also the first Rector Magnificus. In his publications and correspondence with eminent scholars of his time, he defended the right of a people to revolt, an idea that would eventually lead to the French revolution. In the Netherlands he is best known for his Rerum Frisicarum Historia, 1592-1616, the first modern study of Friesland and the Frisians, in which he refuted many idle tales related by earlier historians of Friesland. Among classicists and ancient historians he is known for his 'Vetus Graecia illustrata', a three volume work which he composed during the last years of his life, and which was published posthumously in Leiden in 1626 by the Elzevier brothers. The third volume, which describes the particular form of government of every state or commonwealth of Greece, was published in 1632 separately by Elsevier as 'Graecorum Respublicae') (Provenance: In the center of the upper board have been punched in small type the capitals H A I. The letter A was punched upside down. On the front flyleaf in pencil the Dutch Jewish name: V. Goldsmid, probably 20th century) (Collation: A-2D8; A-X8, (leaves X6, X7 & X8 blank) (Photographs on request) ‎