Sweerts, XII Caesarum Romanorum imagines e numismatibus expressae, Antwerp, 1603, limp vellum, Vershbow copy

SWEERTS, PIERRE-FRANÇOIS. XII Caesarum Romanorum imagines e numismatibus expressae, et historica narratione illustratae. Ex museio Franc. Sweerti F. Antuerp. Antwerp: (Robert Bruneau for) Jan Baptista Vrients, 1603

Sweerts (1567-1629) was a Belgian historian, publishing works on inscriptions, coins and local history. The Caesars included are those of Suetonius, and the book is arranged in the manner of an emblem book, with a heading above the portrait, a short prose biography, and a six-line verse by Bochius or Moretus.

4to (187 x 141 mm). Collation: A-D⁴: 16 leaves (last leaf blank). Engraving on title, engraved illustrations. (Somewhat browned.)

Binding: Contemporary limp vellum (190 x 148 mm). (A few small wormholes in binding.)

Provenance: Erased inscription on rear pastedown — [John Slocum, according to Vershbow's notes] — Goodspeed's Bookshop, purchased in 1988 by — Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow, booklabel, sale, Christie's, New York, 20 June 2013, lot 706. Acquisition: Purchased at the preceding sale. References: STCV 6619602