Seneca, Lucius Annaeus

Folio (12 1/2 x 8 1/4 in.; 318 x 210 mm). Engraved architectural title border by W. Hole, three letterpress titles of which two are dated 1613, woodcut head- and tailpieces, decorative initials, with the initial and final blank leaves; titles soiled, rust hole in Egerton dedication, ink inscription in upper margin of penultimate leaf obscured, additional quire signed "b" misbound. Contemporary calf ruled in blind and gilt, on both covers a central panel with arabesque cornerpieces and central medallion with the initials "P B" on either side of it, and gilt stamped floral ornaments at four corners, spine in compartments with single roseate stamps in each, remains of black silk ties; joints cracked, head and foot of spine torn, corners bumped.

Phillip Bedingfield (signature on engraved title, initials on upper cover) — obscured ownership inscription in upper margin of engraved title — Edward Grosvenor (bookplate recording gift to his school at Stafford, and inscription facing engraved title) — George Goyder (bookplate). acquisition: Maggs, 1992

STC 22213; ESTC S117063; Pforzheimer 625

titles soiled, rust hole in Egerton dedication, ink inscription in upper margin of penultimate leaf obscured, additional quire signed "b" misbound. Contemporary calf ruled in blind and gilt, on both covers a central panel with arabesque cornerpieces and central medallion with the initials "P B" on either side of it, and gilt stamped floral ornaments at four corners, spine in compartments with single roseate stamps in each, remains of black silk ties; joints cracked, head and foot of spine torn, corners bumped.
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First edition of the first full translation of Seneca's philosophical works. This copy contains the rarely found quire b with the translator's dedication (in trans.) "To the most reverend doctors and other readers in literary study" and poem "In Momum," found only in the two dedication copies.