Bouhier, Jean. 1637-1746.

Explication De Quelques Marbres Antiques, Dont Les Originaux Sont dans le Cabinet de M*** [Alexis-Jean Le Bret].

Aix, J. David 1733.

4to (242 x 186 mm.). ii], 49, [2]p. and THREE ENGRAVED PLATES REPRODUCING BAS-RELIEFS AND THEIR INSCRIPTIONS. One text engraving (M. Avenione).

Contemporary blind-ruled calf (rubbed, restored), gilt spine and red morocco label, red edges (visible stab holes from previous stitching).

With: Petronius.         c. 27-66.
            Poeme…Sur La Guerre Civile Entre Cesar Et Pompée; Avec Deux Epitres D’Ovide.  Amsterdam, F. Changuion 1737. 4to. [vi (of iix)], xvi, 256p. — lacking half-title. Typographic table of Latin meters in text, engraved vignette on the title (B. Picart 1728), title printed in red and black.     

           Ad I: Only Edition of an analysis of seven marbles with Greek inscriptions in the collection of Le Bret (1693-1779). Three are shown in the engravings. Bouhier provides text transcriptions, edited versions with missing letters supplied and translations into Latin and French.
            Bouhier recognized the final inscription as the most important: A RARE WITNESS TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN ANCIENT LIBYA, commemorating a Roman official for his support of Jews in the city of Berenice on the festival of Sukkot in 25 C.E.
            Le Bret acquired these marbles from an antiquities dealer named Guérin. The collection was dispersed after Le Bret’s death. Two copies in North American libraries. In good condition (some light browning); bookplate of the antiquarian adventurer Charles Richard de Vesvrotte (1757-1840), old inscription on the front flyleaf.
¶Murray, Museums: Their History and Their Use I: 319; Universal Catalogue of Books on Art I: 150; Cioranescu 13265; see Roux & Roux’s “Un décret du politeuma des Juifs de Bérénikè en Cyrénaïque au Musée lapidaire de Carpentras” in Revue des Études Grecques 62 (1949) 281-96.
            Ad II: Bouhier’s translations of and commentaries on several Roman texts, including the anonymous Perviglium Veneris and Petronius’ poem on the Roman Civil War excerpted from the Satyricon. Lacking the half title.
¶Schweiger, Handbuch der classischen Bibliographie. Lateinische Schriftsteller II: 719 (Pervigilium) & II: 726 (Petronius); Cioranescu 13266; STCN 167656074.

Item #11238

Price: $3,400.00