Opsopoeus Brettanus Johannis, “ΣΙΒΥΛΛΙΑΚΟΙ ΧΡΗΣΜΟΙ. SIBYLLINA ORACULA ex vett. codd. aucta, renovata et notis illustrata. Cum interpretatione Latina Seb. Castalionis et indice”, Paris, [Compagnie de la Grand Navire], 1599.

[BOUND WITH]

“Oracula magica Zoroastris cum scholiis Plethonis et Pselli nunc Primum editi”, Paris, [Compagnie de la Grand Navire], 1599

[BOUND WITH]

“Oracula metrica Iovis, Apollinis, Hecates, Serapidis et Aliorum Deorum ac vatum..., item Astrampsychi Oneirocriticon a Ios. Scaligero digestum et castigatum”, Paris, 1599. 8vo, pp. [14], 524, 71, [2] + 144 + vii-xxiiii, 114, [5].

Text in Greek and Latin. Engraved title page of C.de Mallery, 12 copper engravings of Sibylle, headings and 2 woodcut editor’s devices of the “Oracula” volume showing the boat bearing the arms of France and Navarre, mark of the ‘compagnie de libraires Le Grand Navire (members were  A. Drouart, A. LAngelier, B. Mace, M.L.B.I Sonius). Full calf, early XIX binding, gilt back with morocco title label, small part of the lower white margin of the first title page missing without loss of text. Rare.

The first complete edition of the Oracula Sibyllina, a collection of the oracles traditionally attributed to Sibyls. The edition princeps had appeared in 1545. Brunet V, 370 states that it is the complete edition in greek and latin, Caillet 8136, Graesse VI, 398, Hoffmann III, 396 declares that Opsopoeus has used the manuscript notes de Castalio, Turnebus, Auratus, Fr. Pithoeus and Kath. of Medicis. See also NODIER Ch. Mélanges tirés dune petite bibliothèque, P. 1829, p. 237, note 1. 

Also, the 1599 edition of “Oracula magica Zoroastris…” is the First edition of the Commentaries of Plethon on Zoroaster, in whose system of theosophy he was initiated at the time when he attended the classes of the Jewish polytheist Elisha in Adrianople.