Title: Ex XIIII. T. Livii Decadibus. Prima, tertia, quarta, in qua praeter fragmenta III, & X libri quae in Germania nuper reperta, hic etiam continentur, 1518-1533. Married Set, Fourth Volume from a Different Set
Author: Titus Livius
Publisher: Venice, heirs of Aldo Manuzio and Andrea Torresano
Condition: Good to Fair
An early 16th century, first Aldine edition, of the collected works of Livy, seldom found complete with the fifth part, which was printed later in 1533. This edition was produced by the Aldine press over a 15-year period, from 1518 to 1533, and volumes are often found separately.
This is a rather rough married set, with the first three volumes bound in the same mottled 18th century calf. The fourth volume, however, comes from a different set entirely, bound in green calf with red.
The Florus section is lacking from volume four, which is often found individually bound due to having its own separate title page.
Additionally, several dozen blank leaves have been bound into the fourth volume. Whether a later owner sought to add their own notes, or if this was to fill in the blank space left by the lacking Florus section, is difficult to say.
There is an ownership inscription to the first three volumes, being “Ad usum Mei Jacynti Mesagn Civitatis Bitecti”.
Four volumes in 12mo, (LVI)+365; (7)-(LVI)+350+(6); (12)+296+(6); 131+(5) leaves
These volumes are in good to fair shape, with some rubbing and wear to the bindings, more so to volumes 1 and 2, with leather peeling and some cracking to the hinges. There is a bit of scattered damp staining to the upper corners of volume 1, and a stain affecting the top edges of volume 2. The text blocks are otherwise relatively free of any other soiling or staining.