Marcus Tullius Cicero - Tully's Offices (Tully's Morals) [HANDWRITTEN INSCRIPTION] - 1699

DESCRIPTION: I present at auction a coveted and rare 1699 (2nd EDITION) printed copy of the three books on the duties (De Officiis) of Marcus Tullius Cicero (popularly known in Tudor England as Tully). Titled "Tully's Three Books of Offices", this edition includes explanations and notes to understand the method and thoughts of the famed Roman orator.

Published in London in 1699 by the renowned printer Samuel Buckley under the label of "The Dolphin" (at the Dolphin, in St Paul’s Church-yard), this volume represents a prized piece of British printing from the Restoration era.

THE FRONTISPIECE ENGRAVING:

The title‑page bearing features an exquisite and fine copper-engraved vignette that serves as the famous printer’s mark of Samuel Buckley. The composition depicts a mythic figure (Aion or Apollo) crowned with laurel, draped in flowing robes, triumphantly riding a dolphin that rises from a rough sea. The figure elegantly holds a classical lyre with an ornate frame, playing it with the left hand as he surfs the waves. This engraving is not only an allegory of music, harmony and classical eloquence so closely linked to Cicero’s thought, but also a visual pun (talking mark) that directly references the printer’s location on Fleet Street / St. Paul: the historic Dolphin sign.

MANUSCRIPT DEDICATION INSIDE:

The bibliographic value of this copy is extraordinarily enriched in its initial endleaves, where it preserves a beautiful and moving handwritten Latin dedication from the era, penned by its former owner to give the book to a close friend as a token of gratitude and affection.

Manuscript transcription:

"h. e. M.

Habes istum, Amice Perdilecte, in commemorationem beneficii, amoris & omnifariam favoris accepti.
In memory habeo & promitto me esse sanctissime observaturum hoc Virgiliani Pastoris:

Ante leves ergo pascentur in aethere cervi,
aut Ararim Parthus bibet aut Germania Tigrim,
Quam nostro illius labatur pectore vultus."

Translation:

«[To h. e. M.]

Receive this [copy], dearest friend, in memory of the benefit, love and all the favors received. I remember and promise to observe most sanctimoniously this of the Virgilian Shepherd:

“Then, swift deer will graze in the air, or Araras will drink, or Germania the Tigris, let the image of his face be wiped from our bosom.”
»

Manuscript analysis:

+ A testament to humanist affection: The former owner presents this Cicero book to his Amice Perdilecte ("dearest friend") as proof of gratitude for the favors and affection received (omnimodam favoris accepti).
+ Classic Virgil quotation: True to the erudite spirit of the 17th century, the author uses classical poetry quoting Virgil’s Eclogue I (vv. 59‑63) verbatim (Virgiliani Pastoris).
+ Eternal loyalty promise (Adynaton): Through this rhetorical figure based on the impossible, he promises that events contrary to nature will occur before the memory and face of his friend fade from his heart.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COPY:

+ 17th-century British print (1699): Published in London in 1699 (M DC XC IX), a key pre‑Enlightenment period.
+ Full text in Three Books: Contains Books I, II and III preceded by the half-title dedicatory page addressed to Mr. Will. Bedingfield and Mr. John Wallis, as well as the biography and moral comments.
+ Mixed-era typography: Printed with a careful combination of types (blackletter for book titles, italics and a large body roman type).
+ Iconic Printer’s Mark: Distinct engraving of the dolphin sign on the frontispiece.

PUBLICATION YEAR: London, England United Kingdom 1699. 2nd ENGLISH EDITION
LANGUAGE: English
SIZE AND PAGES: Dimensions: 17 x 10 cm. Pagination: [2] + Frontispiece + IX + 331 + XVII pp. COMPLETE WORK
CONDITION: Original full leather binding, generally good condition with some wear as shown in photos. Four spine ribs. Interiors well preserved as shown. Page 123 torn, missing upper half.
RARE AND INTERESTING COPY. DO NOT LET IT SLIP AWAY.
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