Graecorum sapientum volumina quedam aureis sententijs refertissima apud raros vulgata. Edited by Franciscus Taegius. Pavia: Jacobus de Burgofranco, 12 March 1516.
2° (278 x 189mm). Address by Taegius to Philippo Decio, 4-part title border, portrait and ornamental initials, printer's device on final recto. Modern blue morocco janseniste, Essling supralibros on both covers, monogram in spine compartments, edges marbled and gilt, by M. Lortic. Provenance: Victor Masséna, Prince d'Essling (1836-1910, supralibros and cypher on spine).
A fine copy, printed with the notable series of initials with portraits, typifying Kristeller's observation that "in Pavian books unusual prominence is given to the portrait of the author as decoration" (op.cit, p.356). Taegius states in his introduction that he translated these works using a volume from the library of Johannes Picus de Mirandola. He dedicates it to Philippo Decio, possibly the most renowned lawyer of his day. Decio was, along with Taegius, a member of the Pavian academy, and it is in his role as moderator that Taegius addresses the book to him. Texts include: Pythagoras, Aurea verba; Socrates, Symbola; Speusippus, Liber de diffinitionibus; Xenocrates, Liber de morte; Aristoteles, De animae immortalitate, De conservatione sanitatis, De regimine principum, Liber magnorum moralium; and Taegius's own Oratio de naturalis philosophie utilitate. Hoffman III, p.514. Sander 5736; BLSTC Italian, p.654; not in P.Kristeller "Books at Pavia" Bibliographica, I 1895 pp.347-372.