VALERIUS FLACCUS (Caius). Argonauticon libri octo cum eruditissimis Ægidii Maserii parrhisien. commentariis. Paris, Josse Bade for himself and Jean Petit, 1519. In-folio, cold-stamped brown chagrin, large frieze of foliage set with fillets, large arabesque medallion in the centre, spine decorated with cold crossbars, untrimmed (Modern binding). Second expanded edition of the Latin Argonautiques published and commented by Gilles de Maizières. Josse Bade published the first edition in 1517. This Latin epic in eight books, the last of which is unfinished, is the only known work by Caius Valerius Flaccus (c. 45-c. 90). In recounting the journey of Jason and the Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece, the author drew mainly on the Greek Argonautics, composed in the 3rd century BC by Apollonius of Rhodes. A very handsome work printed in Roman type, with the text framed by the commentary in smaller type, enamelled with large lettering and decorated with a wood-engraved frame and the mark of Josse Bade on the title. The illustration includes eight fine woodcuts in the text, one of which is almost full-page at the head of the first book and seven smaller ones in the following books. Early handwritten bookplates to the title, one crossed out and D.A. Jeannin J.C., with a heraldic design in the shield in the title surround. Spine uniformly lightened, marginal repairs to title, f. 81 and last leaf (upper corner rebound with a few letters missing from a sleeve), marginal spotting and gnawing at head of last quire, a few holes and minor worm damage not serious. Moreau, II, n°2216 - Renouard, Imprimeurs, II, n°434 - Renouard, Ascensius, III, 316 - Adams, V-76.