Imperatorum Romanorum A Julio Caesare ad Heraclium Usque, Numismata Aurea, Excellentissimi, dum viveret, Caroli Ducis Croii et Arschotani, etc. Magno et sumptuoso studio collecta, Nec minore fide, atque industria. Jacobi de Bie Ex Archetypis in aes incisa, Brevi et Historico Commentario explicata. Accedit Ludolphi Smids, M.D. Romanum Imperatorum Pinacotheca. Sigebertus Havercampus Recensuit et auxit. Amsterdam: Martinum Schagen, 1738.
The Gold Coins of the Roman Emperors from Julius Caesar to Heraclius, Collected with Great and Sumptuous Effort by the Most Excellent, While He Lived, Charles, Duke of Cro and Aarschot, etc., and with No Less Faithfulness and Industry Engraved in Copper from the Originals by Jacques de Bie, Explained with a Brief and Historical Commentary. To Which is Added Ludolph Smids, M.D.’s Romanum Imperatorum Pinacotheca. Edited and Enlarged by Sigebert Havercamp. Amsterdam: Martinus Schagen, 1738.
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A fantastically illustrated book, with 12 plates depicting Roman emperors, and a further 76 plates depicting Roman coins, together with three frontispiece plates and an additional engraved title page, constituting a total of 92 plates as called for, collating as complete.
This is the first (and only) enlarged edition of this famous title. This is the most desirable of all of the editions, for its excellent paper, typography, and most notably, the very finely engraved plates. An excellent copy, scarce in a contemporary binding as here.
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Size: 203 x 255 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(2), t.p., *1-4, 3 plates, *1-4, **1-4, ***1-2, A1-C4, D1-2, 12 plates, 12 plates, A1-Z4, Aa1-4, 64 plates, (2)]
Contemporary full calf binding, rubbed, with minor losses to the leather. Both boards are securely attached, joints cracked & exposed. No attached bookplates, but with an early ink ownership inscription to the ffep verso, and presumably a shelf reference mark in pencil to the verso blank's recto. Second title dated a year prior (1737). Main title page printed in red and black, some staining. Some spotting surrounding the second title, else exceptionally clean throughout the text block, including the plates. The text collates as complete, and all of the plates called for are present. The original blanks are also present. 12 plates of Roman emperors follow D2, followed by 12 plates of coins. The end of the text block is followed by 64 consecutive plates, each numbered, all of which are present. A very good copy of this much desirable 18th century work on Roman coin collecting.
