Philoponus (Joannes) Contra Proclum de Mundi Aeternitate, collation: A4, B-L8; [84] leaves, large woodcut printer's device on title, woodcut decorated initials and head-pieces, upper corner of title missing, slight tears along impression of woodcut device, early ink notes '118' and '83' on title, later half calf over marbled boards, a little rubbed, folio (302 x 200mm.), Venice, in aedibus Bartholomaei Casterzagensis (Bartolomeo Zanetti), aere Ioannis Francisci Trincavelli, 1535.

⁂ The exceedingly rare editio princeps of this influential scientific work by Philoponus - a severe criticism of Proclus' belief in an eternal world - edited by the Venetian philosopher Vittore Trincavelli (1491-1563). The printing of this handsome volume was financed by another member of the Trincavelli family, Giovanni Francesco. The present edition is one of the first books published in Venice by Bartolomeo Zanetti from Casterzago, near Brescia; the title-page bears his fine device, with the larger putto's figure holding an olive branch, said to be after Titian. In the space of three years, from 1535 to 1537, Zanetti printed at least thirteen Greek books, as part of the publishing programme financed by the Trincavellis.

Literature: Staikos, Printers' & Publishers' Marks in Book for the Greek World, 89; Hoffmann II, 440; Layton, Greek Book , p. 517; F. Martini, "Chi era il copista di Camillo Veneto", La Bibliofilia, 15 (1913), pp. 41-45; G. Castellani, "B. Zanetti: un tipografo per tutte le stagioni", La Bibliofilia, 108 (2006), pp. 233-250.