DE REBUS GESTIS ALEXANDRI MAGNI. (Alexander the Great). Libri Decem.
J. Barbou, Parisiis. (PARIS). 1757, 1757.
FIRST BARBOU EDITION. 12mo. (6.3 x 3.8 inches). xv, 557pp, + 3pp Catalogus praecipuarum Q. Curtii Rufi editionum at the end of the text. Engraved frontis, 2 vignettes and head and tail pieces by C. Eisen, engraved by Lempereur, and publishers illustrated device on the title page. Endpapers and first few leaves with some staining to the bottom of the page, more prominent on the dark blue endpapers, but barely noticeable on the white text pages, otherwise a very good bright copy throughout. In an atractive early full red morocco binding. Spine double ruled and beautifully decorated in gilt. Black morocco title label, gilt. Triple gilt ruled borders on both boards. Board edges with gilt ruled lines. Decorative gilt roll to the turn-ins. Dark blue endpapers. Green silk page marker. Armorial bookplate to the front pastedown and another, later bookplate on the blank verso of the front free endpaper. The rear board shows a faint stain to the bottom of the panel but overall this is a near fine, attractive copy of this classic work, first published in Venice in 1470, and running though many editions over the centuries. ---- Quintus Curtius Rufus remains an enigmatic figure. His Histories of Alexander the Great is uniquely isolated in Roman literature, as no other ancient text is known to reference either the work or the author.
Item #11597
Price: £400.00