[Title in Greek:] SOPHOCLIS TRAGAEDIAE SEPTEM CVM COMMENTARIIS by Sophocles - 1502

[Venetiis: in Aldi Romani Academia mense, 1502. [196] leaves. Octavo. Full 19th century straight grain red morocco, elaborately gilt extra, a.e.g. Greek letter. Aldine anchor on verso of terminal leaf. Bookplate of Henry Labouchere, 1st Baron Taunton (1798-1869). Some early and interesting manuscript annotations and highlighting in red ink, a few other annotations faded and occasionally a bit smeared, similar annotations eradicated from title, minute single wormhole in foremargins of final half of text block (in a few instances showing signs of early careful in- fill), otherwise a very good copy, neatly bound. First edition in book form of the Greek text of seven of the Tragedies of Sophocles, edited by Marcus Musurus with a dedication to Jan Lascaris. This was the first of the classical Greek texts published by Aldus Manutius in this portable form, and it remained the most readily available source for study of Sophocles's text until the 19th century, when superior manuscripts became the object of scholarly study. Like the copies noted by Brunet and regarded as the earliest printing of the first signature , the verso of the four-line title is blank, as is the facing recto. A high-water mark in the history of typography, classical texts and drama. ADAMS S1438. RENOUARD 34:6. BM (ITALIAN), p.634. BRUNET V:445-6.