Dionysii Longini de Sublimitate Commentarius, Quem Nova Versione donavit, Perpetuis Notis illustravit [...] Zacharias Pearce. Londini: Jacobi Tonson et Johannis Watts, 1724, 4to.
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A beautiful copy of Dionysius Cassius Longinus' On the Sublime (De Sublimatate) from the famous press of Jacob Tonson, this being an important edition which served as the standardised text for most of the 18th century, being reprinted many times. This is the rare first edition of this influential version which was edited by Zachary Pearce and has lovely elegant typography and generous margins.
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Size: 238 x 293 mm (approx.)
Condition:
Attractive contemporary gilt-ruled calf, later rebacked with a handsome spine, showing very nicely on the shelf indeed. Edges marbled with matching marbled endpapers. Very minor stains to spine, some rubbing to binding, but generally a very nice copy externally with the boards attached and binding secure. Bookplate of Charles Luxmoore to front pastedown. Hinges reinforced. Extensive pencil inscription to ffep commenting on the importance of this edition, also clarifying that the 'Dean Swift' inscription to the head of the title leaf is not the famous writer (Jonathon Swift), but a cousin of his. Sporadic early marginalia, else exceptionally bright and clean throughout the text; a complete copy, including the attractive engraved frontispiece which shows the author while busts of Demosthenes, Homer, and Plato look on from the side inside a Raphaelite stylised library, as well as the various indexes and usually wanting errata leaf. An ideal copy.
