Cicero, Marcus Tullius

Chancery folio (292 x 208mm.), 73 leaves (of 74, without initial blank), a¹⁰ b-i⁸, 35-36 lines, roman type, 4- and 5-line initials in red with printed guides, neat early annotations in red and black ink, early nineteenth-century red morocco gilt (probably by Storr of Grantham), spine gilt in compartments, leather hinges, gilt edges, occasional light staining, d4-5 partly stuck together, occasional offsetting from red ink

Sir John Hayford Thorold, Syston Park bookplate, sale, 15 December 1884, lot 582, £2-8; Sir Edward Sullivan, bookplate, sale, Sotheby's, 23 May 1890, lot 1468, £1-14, to O'Brien; William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899

Goff C635; HR 5315; BMC xii 15; Bod-inc C-294; GW 6893; Grosjean & O'Connell 44

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 COPY, retaining deckle edges and with the annotations untrimmed on the wide margins. Filippo di Pietro was related to the printer Gabriele di Pietro (see lot 26, Augustine), with whom he worked in 1472. He is considered the first native printer in Venice.

We have not been able to trace any recent auction records for this edition.