Cato, Varro, Columella and Palladius

4to (210 x 135mm.), woodcut diagrams, woodcut printer's device on final verso (otherwise blank), SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY FRENCH TAN MOROCCO ELABORATELY GILT FOR PIERRE SÉGUIER, roll-tooled border around a semé of fleurs-de-lys and the monogram PS [Olivier 271 fer 7], spine gilt in compartments with fleurs-de-lys and the PS monogram, gilt edges, binding somewhat rubbed

Pierre Séguier, chancelier of France (1588-1672), PS monogram on binding; given as a prize to Gilles Gouault (?), a student at the Sorbonne, in 1677, inscription on flyleaf; Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, inscription at head of title-page (for another book from his library, see lot 80)

Séguier's library, one of the greatest of the time, was eventually inherited by his grandson's nephew Henri-Charles de Coislin (1664-1732), who arranged for Montfaucon to catalogue the Greek manuscripts (published in 1715). Many of the printed books in the library were destroyed in a fire at the abbey of St German des Près in 1794.

Censimento 16 CNCE 28760

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."

For another binding for Séguier, using the same roll-tooled border, see lot 76. Guigard opined that Séguier used Antoine Ruette, binder to Louis XIII and XIV, for most of his bindings.

This edition includes Aldus's preface from his 1514 edition.