CICERO, EPISTOLAE, LYON, 1585, NEAR-CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN CALF GILT FOR CUPIS AND CRESCENZI

16mo (119 x 64mm.), text in italics, woodcut printer's device on title-page, contemporary Italian calf gilt, upper cover lettered TORQUAT CUPIUS with armorial, lower cover lettered IO. BAP. CRESCEN with Crescenzi armorial, spine gilt in compartments, edges gilt and gauffered, modern slipcase, somewhat stained at foot, a few marginal wormholes, lacking 2 pairs of ties; sold as a binding not subject to return

Torquatus de Cupis (or de Cuppis, 1577-1637, a Roman noble and Jesuit who taught at the Collegio Romano, and a supporter of Copernicanism until 1616) and Giovanni Battista Crescenzi (1577-1635, the painter and architect from a noble Roman family), names on binding Other bindings with both de Cupis and Crescenzi's arms are recorded, for example Davis Gift 356, a Soresini binding from c. 1600-1610. An almost identical binding on the same Lyon edition of Cicero was in the collection of Anton W.M. Mensing (1866-1936) of Amsterdam, and sold at Sotheby's, 15 December 1936, lot 127. It seems that they had two copies of this work bound in this way, perhaps one copy for each of them.

IA 139.764; von Gültlingen XIV, Gryphius 239

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."