Phaenomena, in Latin translation, in Scriptores astronomici veteres
June and [17] October 1499

The limited market for expensive Greek books forced Aldus to add Latin and vernacular titles to his catalogue. These were occasionally embellished by woodcut illustrations, as the famous Hypnerotomachia Poliphili and Aratus’s Phaenomena in the edition of the Scriptores astronomici veteres; both books were dedicated to Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino and heir to the magnificent library of Federico da Montefeltro, which was rich in illuminated manuscripts.

The image of the Pleiades in the illustrated Aratus is possibly attributable to the artist of the Hypnerotomachia whereas most other cuts derive directly from earlier editions of Hyginus’s Poetica astronomica.

The Scriptores astronomici veteres was also dedicated to Manutius’s former pupil and financier Alberto Pio, Prince of Carpi. In the dedicatory letters Aldus justified the inclusion of Latin translations of Greek works with his desire to provide these texts in full, and amend the errors marring previous editions. The rapid growth of Aldus’s reputation among European scholars is testified to by the additions of a letter from his English collaborator William Grocyn (1446? –1519), and of the translation of [Pseudo] Proclus’s Sphaera by the renowned English humanist and physician Thomas Linacre (1460–1524) and dedicated to Arthur, Prince of Wales. From the letter to Alberto Pio, we also learn that Linacre was a good friend of the Prince of Carpi.

Inc.3.B.3.134[1827], fols H5 verso–H6 recto