Opera
London: John Pine, 1733-1737. John Pine. First edition. leather_bound. 265, 191 (f3-!4). 22.7 x 14 cm. First issue with the misprint "post est"" in the medallion of Caesar p.18. The entire text plus all the illustrations are engraved by Pine on copper plates. There are title vignettes, eight full page illustrations, culs-de-lampe and four line opening initial to each poem. Pine used imagery of classical seals, paintings and sculpture for the more than 324 illustrations and vignettes. BRUNET III, p.320 "remarquable par l'elegancce des ornements." GORDON N. RAY. p.3 notes, "Pine's complete command of his craft makes this the most elegant of English eighteenth-century books in which text and illustrations alike are entirely engraved." PRINTING AND THE MIND OF MAN, 178 states, "His life (Horace) spanned the decline and downfall of the Roman republic..........When he died, famous and acknowledged since the death of Virgil as the greatest Roman poet, Augustus was his executor." COHEN-DE RICCI 497. LEWINE p.246. ROTHSCHILD 1546-1547. Elegantly bound by Riviere & Son: raised bands, spine panels in gilt arabesques with cover large gilt arabesques nestled at cover four corners, inner dentelles with interior contents bright, clean and fresh. Dark green full morocco, spine evenly toned to brown. Aeg. Fine. 2 vols. Item #22574
Price: $4,695.00