Quintus CURCIUS RUFUS [QUINTE-CURCE]
De rebus gestis Alexandri magni regis Macedonum, libri decem
Apud Ioanem Frellonium|Lugduni [Leiden] • (Lyon) 1555|8 x 12.50 cm|relié
The editions of Quintus Curtius on the life of Alexander were numerous in the 16th century. We have been unable to determine whether this was a first edition from Jean Frellon, although we have not found any earlier edition from this publisher (notably in the Aurelianensis catalogue of 16th-century Lyon editions) present only in the Edinburgh catalogue.
Fine printing in Italic Minuscules. The last leaf bears the printer's mark with the scorpion of Michaël Sylvius typographus. Two old manuscript leaves at the end of the work on Alfonso king of Naples, and the Alexander of Quintus Curtius.
The last unpaginated part bears as its header: Alexandri magni epistola, de situ India [...] ad Aristotelem praeceptorem suum, in latinitatem vesa a Cornelio Nepote.
Full chocolate calf binding from the 19th century. Raised spine decorated in blind with Renaissance friezes. Boards hot-stamped with a Renaissance motif (a flower in a square framed by fleur-de-lis), and blind-stamped with multiple framing fillets (hot-stamped trefoils in the corners). Traces of ties. Edges gilt. Joints rubbed with the upper joint partly split and fragile. Both headcaps have been restored in the past (some damage). 2 corners bumped. First blank endpaper detached, an ochre dampstain in the middle on the first and last leaves.
The history of Alexander is the only book by Quintus Curtius (Roman writer of the 1st century) that has come down to us, yet it has reached us incomplete since the first two books have been lost, and the last two are incomplete. His qualities as a writer, his geographical and military knowledge have always been praised, even though they teem with errors. This biography of Alexander would enjoy immense success during the Renaissance.
Fine printing in Italic Minuscules. The last leaf bears the printer's mark with the scorpion of Michaël Sylvius typographus. Two old manuscript leaves at the end of the work on Alfonso king of Naples, and the Alexander of Quintus Curtius.
The last unpaginated part bears as its header: Alexandri magni epistola, de situ India [...] ad Aristotelem praeceptorem suum, in latinitatem vesa a Cornelio Nepote.
Full chocolate calf binding from the 19th century. Raised spine decorated in blind with Renaissance friezes. Boards hot-stamped with a Renaissance motif (a flower in a square framed by fleur-de-lis), and blind-stamped with multiple framing fillets (hot-stamped trefoils in the corners). Traces of ties. Edges gilt. Joints rubbed with the upper joint partly split and fragile. Both headcaps have been restored in the past (some damage). 2 corners bumped. First blank endpaper detached, an ochre dampstain in the middle on the first and last leaves.
The history of Alexander is the only book by Quintus Curtius (Roman writer of the 1st century) that has come down to us, yet it has reached us incomplete since the first two books have been lost, and the last two are incomplete. His qualities as a writer, his geographical and military knowledge have always been praised, even though they teem with errors. This biography of Alexander would enjoy immense success during the Renaissance.
€600