ESTIENNE, CHARLES.

Oxonii: Excudebat G. H. & G. D. Tipis et al, London and Oxford 1671 Folio 12 x 7 3/4" 830 pp. Contemporary full leather, wuth gilt on red morocco title label to spine with raised bands.

"Scholars for many centuries have turned to this handy reference work, a Latin encyclopedia of the ancient and biblical world, with special emphasis on geography, poetry, and history. It began its life in Deventer in 1501 with a poetic dictionary of modest size gathered by Hermannus Torrentius. The work went through more than 15 editions before a new version was published in 1530 by Robert Estienne. Robert's brother Charles, in turn, created a vastly expanded version, including extensive entries on historical and geographical items, in 1553. Philip Ferrerius also became a major contributor. In our edition of 1671, expansion continues, particularly in the area of geography, at the hands of a new editor, Nicolas Lloyd, an English cleric."