ESTIENNE Henri Thesauraus Graecae linguae [Graece.]

Renouard, Estienne, 135:3; Schreiber, 181; PMM 62. 

First edition.

It is on this edition that Henri Estienne’s reputation is based – it was also this publication that ruined the great printer and humanist. 

“Henri Estienne’s magnum opus, the publication of which marked the great event of his career, as well as a high point in the annals of European scholarship. It also proved Henri Estienne’s financial ruin. The plan for this monumental work was conceived by Robert Estienne, who wished to do for Greek what he had done for Latin with his Latinae Linguae Thesaurus; this Greek Thesaurus too was a pioneering work, following the scientific principle of arranging words not in traditional, strict alphabetical order, but rather grouping them according to their etymological roots” (Schreiber). 

“Le grand événement de la vie de Henri, sa publication la plus importante, et à bon droit reconnue pour la plus utile de toutes celles que l’on doit à ses longs travaux littéraires et typographiques, est ce Thesaurus Graecae Linguae” (Renouard). 

“Finally, in the mid-1550s, Robert Estienne turned to a Greek companion piece of the Thesaurus [Latinae Linguae]. His chief collaborator was his son Henri, who, after his father’s death, eventually brought it under under his own imprimt as Thesaurus Linguae Graecae (Geneva 1572). Even more than with the Thesaurus Latinus, there has to this day been no substitute for the Thesauraus Graecus” (PMM). 

Small traces of waterstain at the beginning of volume IV, otherwise a very good copy of this majestic publication.

Provenance: Collège des Carmélites de Rennes (old inscription on the titles).