Orationes
A reference in classical literature. "The Discourses of Cicero", edition given by Adam de Ambergau in Venice in 1472. "This edition is of excessive rarity and of value as a fine specimen of this printer’s work, of which but few examples have been preserved".
In-folio of 296 leaves with 37 lines, a12, b-f10, g-m10, n-v10, x-z10, A-C10, D-E8, F-G10, without the 2 blank leaves, type 2-116-R.
Olive long-grain morocco, triple gilt fillet with rocaille corner fleuron framing the boards, spine with raised bands richly decorated, triple gilt fillet on the edges, vellum endpapers set within a wide border of morocco richly ornamented with gilt flowers, vellum endleaves, gilt edges. English binding from the 19th century by Lewis.
314 x 210 mm.
Cicero, Marcus Tullius. Orations.Venice, Adam de Ambergau, 1472.
Third incunabula edition of theSpeechesand most famous pleadings of Cicero, produced by one of the first printers, Adam de Ambergau, whose name is attached to only 5 works produced during the years 1471 and 1472. Hain Copinger, 5123; Pell, 3690; Pr, 4150; BMC, V, 189; Goff. Incunabula, G 543; GW 6766.
This is the third incunabula edition after that published in Rome in 1471 and the one published in Venice at the end of 1471 by C. Valdarfer.
The name of the printer and the place of printing long divided bibliographers. De Bure himself, in his "Bibliographica instructive", still hesitated between Adam de Ambergau and Adam Rot, whose printings are so rare. To produce the edition, Adam de Ambergau acquired a new typeface which was used only for this printing of the Speeches of Cicero.
All the famous speeches and pleadings of the great Roman orator are included in the edition.
The rarity of this incunabula edition has been emphasized many times by bibliographers.
"A copy of this rare edition was sold in Paris in 1725, at the inventory of the late Mr. du Fay, for the sum of one hundred livres. If a second copy were to appear today, we do not believe it could be had for the same price, the value of such books having greatly increased in the trade, considering the greater number of collectors who seek them” (De Bure).
An old bookseller's note on the flyleaf specifies: "This edition is of excessive rarity and of value as a fine specimen of this printer’s work, of which but few examples have been preserved."
Precious copy of this important edition, belonging to the great classic civic literature, entirely complete and very fresh, bound in olive morocco by C. Lewis with vellum endpapers.
It comes from the libraries of F. L. Keller and C. S. Ascheron with bookplates.
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