Combe Charles Editor (4 results)

Quarto, two volumes, with an engraved frontispiece portrait of Combe (foxed); a very fine set in a most handsome original binding of straight-grained red morocco, sides with triple gilt roll borders, spine compartments banded in gilt beside double raised bands, lettered in gilt, all edges gilt. A stunning copy of this luxurious and "very magnificent and valuable edition; the text of which is formed chiefly on that of Gesner" (Moss, Manual of Classical Bibliography). Charles Combe (1743-1817), a physician, began the project of this massive edit of Horace (the footnotes are a great deal longer than the text) along with the classical scholar Henry Homer (1752-1791). Combe brought it to completion after Homer's death and it was published as two separate volumes over two years. Aside from the quality of its printing and composition, the London Horace of 1792-1793 is noted for its exhaustive commentaries. Accordingly, this "variorum" edition compares and publishes known textual variations (in collating the known texts of Horace the editor consulted the first printed edition of 1470 alongside seven manuscript copies held in the Harleian Collection). A contemporary evaluation in the Critical Review of 1796 applauds the quality of this edition: "With regard to the typographical merits of the present work, they must be acknowledged to be great. It is printed on fine wove paper; the type is excellent, and the press-work is extremely clear and neat. The margin is also spacious, and the arrangement such as does the printers much credit." . Provenance: Edward Clive (later Herbert), grandson of Clive of India, with armorial bookplates.

Two volumes, quarto, with a portrait frontispiece; in original tree calf, flat spines with gilt panelling, red and green morocco labels. Fine and scholarly printing of Horace: 'a very magnificent and valuable edition; the text of which is formed chiefly on that of Gesner' (Moss, Manual of Classical Bibliography). A contemporary evaluation in the Critical Review of 1796 applauds the quality of this edition: "With regard to the typographical merits of the present work, they must be acknowledged to be great. It is printed on fine wove paper; the type is excellent, and the press-work is extremely clear and neat. The margin is also spacious, and the arrangement such as does the printers much credit." One of the most beloved Roman poets, Horace is cherished for his elegant poetry and robust satire, combining humorous self-reflection with philosophy: "His style is rather to tell the truth through laughter, and not only to show others the way but also to work at improving himself and making himself more acceptable to his fellow human beings." (Oxford Classical Dictionary). Aside from the quality of its printing and composition, the London Horace of 1792-1793 is noted for its exhaustive commentaries. Accordingly, this "variorum" edition compares and publishes known textual variations (in collating the known texts of Horace the editor consulted the first printed edition of 1470 alongside seven manuscript copies held in the Harleian Collection). . Spine of one volume slightly chipped, joints a little split but quite firm, nonetheless a splendid set.

2 volumes, 4to, pp. [4], xlix, [1], 646; [4], 531, [1], 196 (index); uncut and largely unopened; engraved portrait by J. Jones after W. Grimaldi; original blue paper-covered boards, brown paper shelfback; spines largely perished, 3 (of 4) covers present, all loose, sewing structures consequently strained. Nonetheless, a clean copy in original boards. Several old rubberstamps of the Gymnasii Budolstadiensis Edited by Charles Combe (1743-1817). Mills College Check List 829; Riedel-Horatiana A-243.

2 volumes, large 4to, this one of just 30 copies (as noted in manuscript on the flyleaf - "all sold") on large paper (35 cm); pp. [4], xlix, [1], 646; [4], 531, [1], 196 (index); engraved portrait by J. Jones after W. Grimaldi; contemporary notes in ink on front flyleaf regarding the limitation of this issue, and the ownership signature of M. Woodhull, Nov. 18th 1793, with a price of 30 pounds for the quires and an additional 1 pound 12 s. for the binding; two further ink annotations are on the rear flyleaves: "April 28, 1794" in volume I and "June 16, 1794" in volume II; contemporary and likely original calf, double gilt rules on covers enclosing a gilt supralibros (probably Woodhull's); tolerably but not brilliantly rebacked in the 20th century with what looks to be the trimmed remains of the old labels on spine. Edited by Charles Combe (1743-1817). Mills College Check List 829 (for a copy on regular paper); Riedel-Horatiana A-243. ESTC locates only 2 copies of the L.P. issue in North America: LC and the Free Library of Philadelphia.