CICERO, Marcus Tullius. Opera quae supersunt, Omnia, cum Asconio & Scholiaste Veteri;…
Amsterdam, Apud Rod. & Gerh. Westenios, 1724.
£1100
8vo, 11 vols bound in 16 (Vols 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in two books – I & II part). Roman letter, some Italic. Title pages in red and black with tiny decorative tailpieces (only first parts, second part in simple black ink titles). Text with continuous extensive footnotes. Small floriated initials and capital spaces with guide letters, head and tailpieces. Each volume with initial engraved plate by artist J. Mulder (mythological scenes; scenes from the life of Ciero at the Roman Forum Senate, and temples) between half title and title. First volume with plate as frontispiece after half title (remaining volumes with plate after half title) and beautiful large folding plate showing Cicero’s profile on medals, coins, and a bas-relief marble oval, after long preface and table of contents. Vol. 4 with front fly covered in old Latin pencil handwriting. Vol. 6 lacking initial plate. Each volume with bookplate of Johan Klefeker (1698-1775) on pastedown. Bound in contemporary vellum over stiff boards, head of spine gilt with tooled lettering. A.e.r. A magnificent set.
Provenance: Johan Klefeker (1698-1775) studied law at the University of Tübingen. From 1725 he was mayor of Hamburg and significantly influenced the policy of the Hanseatic city in the decades that followed. He compiled collections of constitutions and legislative texts that provided basic information for the city administration, business, and jurisdiction.