[Numismatics]. Hubert Goltzius. C. Julius Caesar Sive Historiae Imperatorum Caesarumque Romanorum Ex Antiqui...

Description

With Engraved Plates of Roman Coins

Goltzius, Hubert. C. Julius Caesar Sive Historiae Imperatorum Caesarumque Romanorum Ex Antiquis Numistmatibus Restitutae Liber Primus Accessit C. Julii Caesaris Vita Et Res Gestae. Bruges: Hubert Goltzius, 1562-3. Folio. a6,b4,c7,A-B4, C-D2,E4,F2,G-I4,K2,A-Z4,Aa-Hh4,aa-dd4. [32],lvii,[6],231,[48]pp. Contemp. 1/2 pigskin over paper-covered boards, the t.p. has a verical crease from having been folded to preserve the fore-edge which extends beyond the book block, but by laying unfolded, there are some edge tears, stain on outer corner of t.p. and following leaf, old bookplate removed from verso of t.p., old owner's stamps on t.p. and verso of final leaf (King's Library of Augsburg with withdrawal stamp),wormholes in margin of last three leaves (no text affected), small tear in margin of last leaf (no text affected) a few minor edge stains, but it is a fine, crisp copy overall with an excellent impression of the plates. Engraved t.p.,54 engraved plates of coins, large Printer's engraving at end. First Edition. Goltzius (1526-1583) German Antiquary. "He considered medals as the very foundation of true history; and travelled through France, Germany, and Italy, in order to make collections, and to draw them what lights he could....He was the author of several excellent works, in all which he applies medals to the illustration of ancient history, and for the greater accuracy, had them printed in his own house, and corrected them himslf. He also engraved the plates with his own hands. Accordingly, his books were admired all over Europe, and thought an ornament to any library; and suceeding antiquaries have bestowed the highest praises on them."[Chalmers]
"The importance of this book which no one has yet noticed, lies in the fact that it contains the first subscription-list we know of." Hornik/Smith, Scientia Nova, II,42.
There was issued a second part in 1574 on Caesar Augustus which is not present here.
"Typical of Goltzius's books is the exquisitely engraved title page, in which the title appears on a tablet set within a classical monument, adorned with allegorical figures. There are fifty-seven full-page engraved plates of coins of Julius Caesar and his contemporaries -- Brutus, Cassius, Lepidus, and Antony...These are followed by three hundred pages of text, including a long biography of Caesar and the fasmous letter by Goltzius acknowledging and listing his many hundreds of patrones throughout Europe." Cunnally, Images of the Illustrious, 1999. BM STC (Dutch) 87. Adams G829. Schweiger I,57. Berlin Cat 4249. Lipsius 153. Funck 323. Belgica G385. Borroni 13585. Favis 104. Dekesel 425. Hirsch 49. Labbe 231. Dekesel, Goltzius, 67. Classics. Rome. Ancient History Numistmatics. Coins. Engravings.