M. Tullii Ciceronis Opera [Volume I], Marcus Tullius Cicero

£210.00

M. Tullii Ciceronis Opera [Volume I], Marcus Tullius Cicero

Name: M. Tullii Ciceronis Opera [Volume I], Marcus Tullius Cicero
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6094
Price: 210.00 GBP
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Publication: Leiden, Ex Officina Elzeviriana, 1642

Formatting: 12mo, pp. [xxiv], 768.

Condition Report: Very Good. Bound in full contemporary calf, the binding remains remarkably tight and structurally sound for its age, justifying this grade despite some external wear. There is expected shelf wear to the extremities, including a small chip to the headcap and light rubbing across the boards, but the hinges are firm, and the five raised bands alongside the gilt-tooled compartments to the spine retain much of their original, unoxidised lustre. The text block edges are toned, and while the margins show some age-related darkening typical of 17th-century paper, the leaves themselves remain supple, entirely legible, and free from loose pages or heavy foxing.

Catalogue Note: This is the first volume of the ten-volume set of Cicero's works published by the Elzevir press in 1642. This specific volume contains Cicero's rhetorical works, including De Oratore, and features the engraved title page characteristic of Elzevir editions, alongside a dedication to the Dutch diplomat Willem Boreel.

The book bears a contemporary manuscript inscription indicating it was a gift from a Jesuit professor of eloquence to Henry Arundell Bedingfeld. A member of the recusant Catholic Bedingfeld family of Oxburgh Hall, Henry was educated abroad at the Jesuit College at La Flèche in France. As the inscription notes, he studied under the alias 'Nelson' to avoid the anti-Catholic penal laws in England. This pseudonym is also penned at the foot of the engraved title page.

Single volumes of this 1642 Elzevir set occasionally appear on the open market as replacement copies, with this example notable for its documented link to English Catholic education on the continent.

An attractive 17th-century Elzevir edition of Cicero’s rhetorical works, offering a tangible link to English Catholic history. Beyond its elegant full calf binding and renowned Dutch typography, this volume carries the captivating story of a young English aristocrat forced to study under an alias in France due to his family’s faith. A wonderful piece of classical antiquity intertwined with recusant history.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Marcus Tullius Cicero

Book Publisher: Ex Officina Elzeviriana

Book Language: Latin

Narrative Type: Antiquarian

Genre: Classic Fiction

Book edition:

Signed: No

Book Pages: 792

Book Publication Year: 1642

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover, Full Calf

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Leiden, Netherlands

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.