P. TERENTII AFRI POETAE LEPIDISSIMI, COMOEDIAE, Andria, Evnvchvs, Heavtontimorvmenos, Adelphi, Hecyra, Phormio....

Paris: Ioannem de Roigny [Jean de Roigny], [Colophon dated 1551; 1552. "A most excellent edition... [and] a rare occurrence" (Dibdin) of Terence's six extant plays and the first of the imprints, the colophon dated Calendas Decembris, Anno 1551. With well over 100 fine woodcut scenes of actors upon the stage preceding the various scenes of the play along with numerous fine woodcut decorative initials all throughout. The illustrations were originally presented in the Lyons edition of Jean Trechsel 1493. The text printed in a handsome large italic type with the extensive commentary printed around it in smaller italic. Folio [313 x 210mm), in a contemporary binding of vellum over boards, the vellum paneled in blind on the covers, the spine with tall and wide raised bands blind tooled, one compartment with manuscript lettering in brown ink, two small paper labels with manuscript lettering in separate compartments. [1ff.], 776pp., [38pp. index] A tall and very handsome copy, the paper fresh and clean with a nice firm impression, the title-page with a few manuscript markings. This is a superior copy with essentially none of the flaws books to which books of this early period are prone. The textblock is solid and firm within the handsome and sturdy binding, the handsome vellum binding appropriately aged. A FINE AND IMPORTANT EDITION OF TERENCE'S COMEDIES, WITH THE FOURTH CENTURY COMMENTARIES OF DONATUS AND OTHERS AND THE RENAISSANCE COMMENTARIES OF ERASMUS, MELANCHCHTON, BEMBO AND OTHERS, and "almost all the valuable treatises upon the author up to the period of its publication" - Dibdin. This tall and handsome printing is also a very early illustrated edition, containing many delightful and lively small woodcuts.
All six of Terence's plays are included, the author apparently died quite young and these are believed to be all that were written. They were first performed between 170 and 160 BC, and like those of Plautus were adapted Greek plays from the late phases of Attic comedy. Terence wrote in a simple conversational Latin, pleasant and direct. Aelius Donatus, Jerome's teacher, is the earliest surviving commentator on Terence's work. Terence's popularity throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is attested to by the numerous manuscripts containing part or all of his plays. Two of the earliest known English comedies, 'Ralph Roister Doister' and 'Gammer Gurton's Needle', are thought to parody Terence's plays.