Homer's Odyssey
L'Odyssee
Par Madame Dacier
Published in Paris by Saintin, Libraire de la Cour 1817
In Original Leather & Marbled Bindings - Carries 16 Plates + Frontis (17 Total)
"A charming and genuinely early miniature-format edition of Homer's Odyssey, here presented as L'Odyssée d'Homère, translated into French by the celebrated classical scholar Anne Dacier (1645-1720). Published in Paris by Saintin, Libraire de la Cour, in 1817, this is Tome Troisième (Volume III) of the three-volume edition recorded by the Bibliothèque nationale de France. At just 10.5 x 7 x 2.5cm and weighing only 107 grams, it is a delightful pocket-sized production from the Napoleonic/Restoration era.
The volume is particularly appealing for its numerous engraved illustrations, including a fine frontispiece depicting Ulysses recognised by Eurycleia and further engraved plates illustrating Homeric episodes, antiquities, landscapes and classical sites. The 1817 Saintin edition of the Iliad and Odyssey was issued as six small volumes — three for each work — and a complete surviving set is recorded with 24 engraved plates, confirming that illustration was an important feature of this attractive edition. Anne Dacier's influential French translation had introduced generations of French readers to Homer and remained sufficiently important to warrant this handsome new edition almost a century after her death.
This surviving third volume retains enormous 200-year-old character, with its original leather spine still carrying the gilt "HOMERE - ODYSSÉE - 3" lettering and remnants of the original paper-covered boards. The binding is now extremely worn, rubbed and distressed, but internally the book remains remarkably evocative, with the typography and engravings retaining considerable freshness. Of additional interest is the old "BIBLIOTHÈQUE No. 1001" ownership/library stamp to the title page, together with an earlier monogram and other historic ownership markings. A wonderfully tactile 209-year-old miniature Homer, desirable as an affordable early edition of one of the foundational works of Western literature and especially appealing for its tiny format and surviving engraved plates."
Heavy wear, some loss and fading to covers and spines as shown. Book commences at half title page with some damage as shown. Carries 15 Plates + Frontis (16 Total) and presumed complete. Pages typically clean with pleasant age toning. Institutional stamp with 'clip' to title page as shown. A lovely copy of this early edition in good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
