Curtius Rufus, Quintus [pseudo]

4to (200 x 140mm.), 26 leaves, a¹⁰ b-c⁸, 29 lines, roman type, white-on-black woodcut initials, 4- and 5-line initial spaces with printed guides, woodcut printer's device beneath colophon, eighteenth-century calf tooled in gilt and blind, binding slightly rubbed

Earl of Sunderland, removed from Blenheim Palace, without bookplate but old shelfmark on flyleaf, sale, Puttick and Simpson, April 1882, lot 3611, £1-5s, Ellis and White; Sir Edward Sullivan (without his bookplate), sale, Sotheby's, 24 May 1890, lot 1801, 10s, to; William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899

Goff C997; HC 5892; BMC vii 1093 ("From the Sunderland Library"); BSB-Ink C-722; Bod-inc C-501; GW 7881; Grosjean & O'Connell 46

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."

FIRST EDITION of this collection of letters for teaching good Latin, which were ascribed to the first Century writer Curtius Rufus.

Ugo Rugerius, a native of Reggio, began his printing career in Bologna in 1474. He later moved briefly to Pisa and then Reggio Emilia, where he printed three books in 1500 and 1501. This edition was printed in 1,000 copies, according to the preface ("in mille publicandas exemplaria suscepi"), although ISTC records just 39 copies.