Cicero & Julius Caesar - Lettres de Cicéron à Atticus / Commentarii de Bello Gallico et Civili - 1714-1817

An attractive pairing of two major figures of Ancient Rome, Cicero and Julius Caesar, in handsome period bindings. Cicero’s Lettres de Cicéron à Atticus was published in Paris by Florentin Delaulne in 1714, bound in decorative calf with raised bands, gilt spine, marbled endpapers and red edges. Caesar’s Commentarii de Bello Gallico et Civili was printed at Bassano by the historic Remondini press in 1817, one of Italy’s great printing dynasties, and retains its substantial vellum binding with handwritten spine title.

The Cicero contains his celebrated letters to Atticus, offering a personal view of Roman politics, friendships and everyday life, presented in Latin and French. The Caesar contains his famous accounts of the Gallic and Civil Wars, together with the campaigns in Alexandria, Africa and Spain. Together they offer two fascinating perspectives on Ancient Rome — Cicero through correspondence and Caesar through campaigns and conquest.

Condition: The 1714 Cicero is Good+, with rubbing and wear to the calf and minor losses at the spine extremities and corners; the gilt decoration, labels, marbled endpapers and red edges remain attractive. Internally generally well preserved with toning and occasional foxing/marks. The 1817 Caesar is Good+, its period vellum showing natural darkening, staining, rubbing and edge wear, with early manuscript inscriptions; internally the paper remains strong, clear and highly readable with scattered foxing and toning. A handsome pair of classical volumes with considerable period character.