Lot 1069: ESTIENNE, ROBERT. 1503-1559.

Dictionarium, seu Latinae linguae thesaurus.... Paris: Robert Estienne, December 14, 1536.
2 volumes. Folio (360 x 240 mm). [12], 866; [2], 871-1780, [2 errata] pp. Large woodcut printer's device on both title pages. Double column, roman and italic type. Criblé initials. 18th century calf, spines gilt, preserving old spine supports. Some dampstain and spotting to first several leaves of vol 1, title of vol 2 with repair to head and loss of 3 letters of title, intermittent pale dampstain, binding worn at corners and spine.
Provenance: Bibliotheque du Haut-Buisson (bookplates); Dr. H.R. Frank (his sale, Zisska & Schauer Munich, May 10, 1990, lot 46).

SECOND EDITION, ENLARGED OF "THE FOUNDATION OF MODERN LEXICOGRAPHY" (Schreiber describing the third edition) and the work which established Robert Estienne as the first scientific lexicographer. "Unlike any of his predecessors Estienne based his vocabulary only on the best classical sources ... and further illustrated the meaning of words and idioms by references to reputable modern authorities, e.g., Valla, Erasmus, Linacre, Alciati and [his friend] ... Guillaume Budé" (Schreiber). Over 450 years later, it has yet to be surpassed as the most complete work of Latin lexicography. The third edition appeared in 1543 and was denominated the "second edition" by Estienne, an indication that he did not consider the first edition of 1531 to be a complete work. Adams S1819; PMM I, 192 (1st ed), Renouard 43, Schreiber 68 (3d ed).