Laurentii Vallae De Elegantia Linguae Latinae Libri Sex, una cum Libello de Reciprocatione Sui & Suus, Cum Optimis Editionibus Summa Cura & Diligentia Recogniti & Collati


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    Later Edition.

    16.5cm x 10cm. [xviii], 600, [xxviii] pages. Brown leather seventeenth century Cambridge panel binding with floral tools in blind at the corners, five raised bands, blind rules, gilt shield in each compartment, all edges sprinkled red and blue, remnant of gilding on board edges. Text is in Latin.

    Laurentius Valla’s Six Books on the Elegance of the Latin Language, Together with the Book on the Reciprocity of Self and Self, Recognized and Collated with the Best Editions with Great Care and Diligence. Lorenzo Valla (ca. 1407 – August 1457) was an Italian Renaissance scholar, humanist, and Catholic priest. He is best known for proving that the Donation of Constantine was a forgery, undermining the presumption of power claimed by the pope. Because of this he is sometimes seen as a precursor of the Reformation. De Elegantia Linguae Latinae was seen as a high point in the critical study of Latin and was reprinted nearly sixty times between 1471 and 1536. This copy signed on front pastedown by M. O. Harris, 15 Jany 1872, another inscription on title page verso: Purchased 15 Jany 1872, Came from Dr. Browns library. M. O. Harris. Given back to the [St Albans] Grammar School Library from whence it originally came 19 February 1887. M. O. Harris C.E. “an old boy”. The school crest with the motto Medioc-ria Firma on front pastedown with matching device in gilt to spine.

    Small piece of leather, 1cm x 0.5cm, missing from tail of lower joint, similar from top raised band. 0.5cm piece of upper panel crown fore-edge corner rubbed. Front endpaper a little tender at tail. Interior clean and bright with only occasional spots of very minor foxing. Very Good Condition.

    SOLD