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THE FOULIS HOMER, LARGE PAPER

HOMER. [The Iliad, in Greek].

Glasgaue, [i.e. Glasgow]. excudebant Robertus et Andreas Foulis, 1756.
xi, [1], 312; [4], 336pp. ESTC T90244. marginal paper reapirs to 3K2 3T2; a2 4k1

[Bound with] HOMER. [The Odyssey, in Greek]. [8], 297, [1]; [4], 336pp. ESTC T90244.

Folio. Four volumes. Large paper copy, untrimmed, printed on writing demy folio paper, measuring 387 x 240mm, with the watermark of a fleur-de-lys within a crowned shield (Gaskell's no. 7). With half-titles to each volume, but without the general title (not issued until 1758), as usual. Nineteenth-century straight-grained gilt-tooled green half-morocco, marbled boards. Rubbed, neatly furbished with occasional scuff to boards, otherwise a very presentable set. Some spotting/marking to endpapers and very occasionally to text; occasional old marginal paper repairs (in the main to the very edges of pages).
Recognised in its own day as a typographic masterpiece, with both separate works the winning medal of the Select Society of Edinburgh for the finest printed work in Greek type, the 1756-8 Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, edited by James Moor and George Muirhead and produced by the brothers Robert and Andrew Foulis was described by the printers' chief bibliographer, Philip Gaskell as one which 'towers in importance over all the other' publications.

That they are presented here unpressed, in such a large paper format, untrimmed and as such with most generous margins (measuring 387 x 240mm), only adds to their charm. For reference, the size of the Chatsworth copy was 375 x 235mm.
Gaskell 319.
£ 6,250.00 Antiquates Ref: 28901