Marcus Tullius Cicero - Ciceronis Philosophiae - 1541-1546

Cicero - De Philosophia & Brutus (De Claris Oratoribus) [Aldine Press] - 1541, 1546 & 1550 - 2 Volumes (Sammelband)Description:A spectacular and highly valuable 16th-century composite Aldine edition (Sammelband) across two volumes, combining Marcus Tullius Cicero's complete philosophical works, his famous rhetorical treatise Brutus, and Paul Manutius’ commentaries. Printed in Venice by the Aldine Press in 1541, 1546, and 1550.This premium humanistic lot brings together several critical texts edited and printed by Paul Manutius (Apud Aldi Filios), presented in two matching, luxurious period bindings.Key Bibliographical Features:Author: Marcus Tullius Cicero (M. Tvllii Ciceronis)Editor/Commentator: Paul Manutius, son of Aldus (Pavlvs Manvtivs Aldi Filivs)Imprint Years: 1541 (M. D. XLI), 1546 (M. D. XLVI), and 1550 (M. D. L.).Format: Octavo (8vo), measuring approximately 15 x 9 cm.Language/Type: Latin, set in the iconic and elegant Aldine italic typeface.Printer's Devices: Features multiple pristine strikes of the celebrated Aldine Anchor and Dolphin device framed by woodcut borders with cherubs (putti) and the inscription "ALDI FILII".
Detailed Volume Contents & Collation:VOLUME I (~350 leaves / ~700 pages):De Philosophia, Prima Pars (1546): Complete with 272 leaves. Includes: Academicarum quaestionum editionis primae liber secundus / editionis secundae liber primus, De finibus bonorum & malorum (Books I-V), and Tusculanarum quaestionum (Books I-V).De Claris Oratoribus, qui inscribitur Brutus (1550): Cicero's famous history of Roman eloquence dedicated to Marcus Junius Brutus. Features its own beautiful title page with the 1550 (M. D. L.) Aldine imprint (Corrigente Pavlo Manvtio, Aldi Filio).VOLUME II (256 leaves / 512 pages):3. De Philosophia, Volumen Secundum (1546): Complete with 224 leaves (signatures a-v8 aa-oo8 AA-EE8). Containing: De natura deorum (Books I-III), De divinatione (Books I-II), De fato, De legibus (Books I-III), De universitate, and Q. Ciceronis de petitione Consulatus.4. Scholia Pavli Manvtii (1541): Bound within at the end, containing 32 leaves (signatures A-D8). Features the indispensable philological commentaries and notes compiled by Paul Manutius to correct and explain Cicero's philosophy (Scholia Pauli Manutii, quibus Ciceronis Philosophia partim corrigitur, partim explanatur), dated 1541 (M. D. XXXXI).
Condition Report:Binding: Masterfully bound in uniform, elegant period or early full leather (dark reddish-brown calf or morocco). Spines boast beautiful Renaissance-style gilt-stamped floral compartments, raised bands, and contrast leather labels reading "CICERO PHILOSO VOL. I / II" and "AP. ALDUM".Edges: Exceptional, luxurious all-edges-gilt (original bright gold leaf on all three sides). The gilding remains incredibly vibrant, thick, and well-preserved.Interior: Exceptionally fresh, crisp, and clean. A beautiful and rare feature of this copy is the presence of hand-painted red initials (rubrication) introducing the dedicatory prefaces to Cardinal Marcello Cervini (the future Pope Marcellus II) and Diego Hurtado de Mendoza.Completeness: Outstanding preservation of bibliographical integrity. Both volumes retain their original final leaves with complete registers of signatures (Series Literarvm / Omnes quaterniones), proving total typographic and textblock completeness.Exterior Wear: Light rubbing and minor shelf wear to corners, edges, and spine ends—perfectly consistent with an age of nearly 480 years. Bindings remain tight, firm, and structurally excellent.An extraordinary, museum-grade collectible set representing the pinnacle of Venetian Renaissance scholarship and printing heritage.