Descrizione

First Edition in English of Livy's highly influential history of Rome. Engraved head- and tail-pieces for each chapter, engraved and elaborate multiple line historiated initials to each chapter, engraved decorated title, two portraits: Queen Elizabeth and Titus Livius. Thick Folio, in a binding of contemporary full calf, the upper cover with a gilt tooled emblem at the center, that at the rear cover excised,double-ruled borders in blind to the covers, wide raised bands to the spine with sedate blind ruling to the bands, simple central gilt ornament to the compartments, original turnovers, boards and ties, rare in original binding. (x), 1403, [1, To the Reader], 40 index and errata) pp. A good copy, the text-block fresh and unpressed, some old evidence of rubbing and wear to the lower outside corner of a number of the leaves at the beginning and end of the book, title-page and dedication leaf backed at the outer margins, the original spine panel with some portions lost and later refurbished or replaced during rebacking. A good copy of a book now elusive and rarely seen in commerce in contemporary binding.