[Emblem book] Epiphanius Constantiensis. Peri ton physiologon (...). Ad physiologum

Eiusdem in die festo Palmarum sermo. Ed. Gonzalo Ponce de Léon. Antwerp, C. Plantin, 1588, (16),124,(11) pp., Latin and Greek text juxtaposed and extensive notes in Latin, w. woodcut printer's device on title, engr. full-p. portrait of the author and 25 half-p. emblematic ills. after Pieter van der Borcht, all within typographical borders, contemp. limp vellum w. title in old pen on spine and nice contemp. heraldic drawing incorporating a winged helmet, a coat-of-arms and a face in pen on front, sm. 8vo.

Sl. foxed; a few p. misnumbered, corr. in old pen; lacks first free endpaper. Vellum sl. stained and w. a few sm. holes in spine. A good, honest copy in contemporary binding with intriguing drawing on front. Voet 1126; Adams, E-248; Landwehr, Emblem & Fable books, 162; Nissen ZBI, 1301; Hoffmann II, 27. Praz, p. 328: "Though not an emblem-book proper, this book had a great influence on emblem-literature, and is rightly recorded among emblem-books in all catalogues." The second edition (first: Rome, 1587) of this important bestiary, a collection of allegories based on the qualities of animals such as bees, frogs, snakes and birds. Also containing an account of the life of Epiphanius in the prel. pages.