Boethius (ca. 480-524), Consolatione Philopsophiae, 1489

[Lyon: Guillaume Le Roy], 1487, with commentary ascribed to Thomas Aquinas, ed: Conradus Poseiaen (whose name appears in acrostic on the final page), rubricated, folio, in brown quarter leather on marbled boards, the spine with raised bands and black panels with gilt lettering, the edges cut (reduced) and marbled, with marbled endpapers. [BMV VIII:236; ISTC ib00782500]
10-1/8" x 7-5/8"

Notes: The Consolation of Philosophy was one of the most popular and influential works of the Middle Ages. It was written by Roman senator Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius while imprisoned by Ostrogothic king Theodoric the Great, for whom Boethius had served as magister officiorum until he was suspected of treason for correspondence with Byzantine Emperor Justin I. The commentary, which has traditionally been attributed to Thomas Aquinas, has in recent times been thought to be the work of Oxford Dominican scholar Thomas Waleys (fl. first half 14th century).

In overall good condition. Boards with abrasions and small scattered losses to marbled paper. Leather spines with some rubbing. Sheets with yellowing, small holes - especially along edges - and scattered foxing. Some light soiling. Spines intact. No visible signs of detached or loose pages. First few pages with some marginalia. All consistent with age, material and usage. Note that the edges have been cut and reduced as noted in the catalogue description, with the header partially or entirely missing on some leaves. Collation corresponding to BMV VIII:236. Variant Tabula in signature x (one column instead of two). Signature mark A lacking.