Homer's Iliad in Ancient Greek

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for a nice version of the Iliad with the original ancient Greek text. I don't mind if it's just ancient Greek (and equally I don't mind in which other language it's translated as long as the original is there). My budget is flexible. I hope this is enough to go by :) I have no idea where to start.

I would very much appreciate your help,
Costas

Not really a fine press book but from a fine press, the Chester River Press (2009) published a two volume set of The Iliad and The Odyssey with a side by side bilingual translation and illustrations in the style of Greek vases. It's an oversize production making it harder to read. The English translation is the archaic Pope.

The Nonsuch Iliad. In my opinion, the finest fine press edition of a classic text.

Costs a pretty penny, though. Or rather, a million pretty pennies.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133535391347

>2 kdweber: It's an oversize production making it harder to read.

This is a massive understatement. This book is unwieldy, way to heavy to hold in your lap, to big for most bookshelves, too deep for most display cases. It is ginormous!

>3 grifgon: Sublime indeed. Way out of my league but I'm glad you brought it to my attention.

I've seen the Chester Press one before but didn't intrigue me at all.

>3 grifgon: I have listed after the Nonesuch Homer ever since I had the privilege of fondling a set in the U. Wyoming rare book collection back in the late '70s. My lust has yet to be fulfilled.

>5 bacchus.: No doubt you're familiar with the Oxford Classical Texts editions of Homeri Opera, the Iliad and Odyssey in four slim volumes. It's no Nonesuch, and probably not fine press book enough for what you're after, but I mention it just in case: convenient size for actual reading, perfectly handsome dust jackets, with academic textual apparatus. And available for under $9K.

>1 bacchus.:
The Bremer Presse's editions of 1923-24!
http://www.rfmeyer.de/images/1847_3.jpg
But it's unwieldy as well.

For your interest, The Chester River Press editions can be seen at:-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/warwick_carter/25006295193/in/photolist-E6HNmz-2iH...

>9 wcarter: This is a great resource. Do you own this volume?

Forum Auctions is selling Bremer Press Iliad and Odyssey on Sep 30th (in Greek) . You can bid through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable etc. Looks amazing

Thank you all. The Bremer Press edition seems to be exactly what I'm looking for.

I got out of the Chester River printing of The Odyssey and Iliad when the other partners selected the artist and have never been happier about a decision. A beautiful book but a boat anchor and in the end they printed it offset in China rather than me doing it letterpress. I believe what was left of the edition was remaindered a few years back.

I have a partial Nonesuch, a few sections worth. One of my prized printed possessions.

>13 DWPress:
I can’t imagine I’d have been able to afford the CRP Homer, if you’d printed it letterpress on good paper (which would also have made the volumes even thicker, presumably).
But, you’re right — it was too big for me to enjoy, and I eventually sold my copy.

There's some interesting Homer editions here,
https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/collex/exhibits/homer-print-transmission-and-recept...

The Odyssey below from Oxford University Press seems really nice despite the hard to read font.

EDIT: I take it back about the font - once I've figured out which is which it's actually very fitting.

D. B. Monro (1836–1905)

'Oμήρου Όδύσσεια
Oxford: Printed at the University Press with Greek types designed by Robert Proctor, 1909.

This simple and elegant limited edition was inspired and influenced by the fine press movement. The type, designed by Robert Proctor, was based on the Greek type used in the New Testament of the Complutensian Polyglot Bible of 1514. The punchcutter was Edward Philip Prince, who cut the types for many English fine presses. Although the type was widely praised, its large size made it unsuitable for commercial production.

Any suggestions for Plato in original text? I am still very much a beginner but it has been a wonderful experience just reading passages and being able to 'get it'. Hoping to start on Plato's apology soon. Want to find a nice edition of it, as my whole purpose of having started lessons was to be able to read texts in their original form and find collectible editions of them :)

>16 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: This might be a question for another group which I am a member of
https://www.librarything.com/ngroups/1481/Geeks-who-love-the-Classics

>17 L.Bloom: Thank you! wasn't aware of the group. Will join there :) but I do want fine press/collectible editions of Plato and was wondering if there were any recommendations for them.

>18 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: I love my LEC Plato but it is not in the original Greek. I know they published some of the plays with facing page translations of the Greek. Of course there is always the debate as to whether LEC can really be considered fine press.

>16 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: The Symposium of Plato by the Libanus Press (1986) with side by side bilingual edition translated by Griffith and engraved by Forster, Velin Arches rag paper, bound by Smith Settle. I paid $212 (one of 300 standard editions) before tax and shipping in September.

>20 kdweber: I found a copy of this. Very tempted to purchase it, however there seem to be a blood stain on the cover of the slipcase/chemise, and it has been labelled as the blood of the artist, (edition of 1). I am not sure how I feel about that

>21 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: LOL at "edition of one". Should be extremely expensive :))) The stain doesn't look that bad. At least it's not on the book. And it's an old one - 89'.

>22 Lukas1990: I sent the bookshop an inquiry on it, and they said they believe it to genuinely be an accidental blood stain of the artist and the note on it written by him. I guess it provides an interesting back story 😂It is still a bit off putting for me but the price is decent and I can't find any other copies for sale. Was just wondering if kdweber or anyone else who owns the edition could give me a review of it to help me decide if I should get this copy :)

>23 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: I have a copy of the standard and it is absolutely gorgeous. Highly recommended. Excellent, readable translation as well (my favorite that I have read). I posted pictures in some other topic here. Let me see if I can find a link.

>23 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: here it is:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/335503#7611622

>23 Praveenna_Nagaratnam: The book is well worth getting and highly recommended. The blood thing totally depends upon you as an individual. For some it would be creepy while for others an interesting highlight. As rule, I'm not too concerned about small blemishes on things that protect the book such as a chemise or slipcase. I'd probably avoid a book with such a stain on its cover regardless of whether it was blood or not.

I'd never heard of Libanus Press before PatsChoice started a thread on their edition of The Symposium. Now I happily own three books from this press.

>25 abysswalker: >26 kdweber: Thank you all! The photos look really lovely. I am glad I checked here before dismissing the idea on my own. Will share pics on the other thread when I receive mine :)