LUCRECE. Titi Lucretii Cari. De rerum natura libri sex, Birm - Lot 270

Lot 270
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300 - 400 EUR
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Result : 305EUR
LUCRECE. Titi Lucretii Cari. De rerum natura libri sex, Birm - Lot 270
LUCRECE. Titi Lucretii Cari. De rerum natura libri sex, Birmingham: John Baskerville, 1772. In-4 of 2, 280 pp. Full red morocco, spine finely decorated with gilt boxes and small gilt irons, triple gilt fillet on the boards, gilt fleurons in the corners, gilt roulette inside and on the edges, all edges gilt (binding of the period). A pleasant copy in its strict contemporary binding (worn headbands, title and A1 f. browned). First edition given by J. Baskerville (an in-8 edition will follow). According to Thomas F. Dibdin, "'The typography of Baskerville is eminently beautiful [...]. He united in a singularly happy manner the elegance of Plantin with the clearness of the Elzevirs [...]. He seems to have been extremely curious in the choice of his paper and ink: the former being in general the fruit of Dutch manufacture, and the latter partaking of a peculiarly soft lustre, bordering on purple. In his italic letter, whether capital or small, I think he stands unrivalled; such elegance, freedom, and perfect symmetry being in vain to be looked for among the specimens of Aldus and Colinseus "
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