Boethius, Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus

Royal folio (405 x 273mm.), 135 leaves (of 140, without five blank leaves), [1⁶; 2¹⁰ 3⁸ 4¹⁰ 5⁶; 6-11¹⁰ 12⁶; 13-14¹⁰ 15⁸], 34 and 47 lines, gothic type, 1- to 8-line initials and paraphs supplied in red and blue (a few with manuscript guide letters), 6-line initial in gold on a blue and pink ground with white detailing at start of text, eighteenth-century red morocco, triple gilt fillet border, spine gilt in compartments, morocco lettering-pieces, gilt edges, a few edges uncut, a few early manuscript signatures, a few small wormholes at beginning and end, slight damp-staining towards end, covers slightly scraped, head of spine slightly torn

Dominican convent, early inscription at foot of first leaf (with place name obscured)

Goff B771; HC 3370; BMC ii 413; Bod-inc B-392; GW 4526

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A large crisp copy. This is at least the fifth edition of Boethius's text, but the first to include Waleys's commentary. Waleys, an Oxford Dominican active in the first half of the fourteenth century, was apparently "an observant and witty man, with a growing interest in classical antiquity, fostered particularly by the access to rare books that his time in Bologna and Avignon provided" (Simon Tugwell in ODNB).