Opera omnia cura E. C. Wickham.

HORACE.

Published by London: printed by the Riccardi Press and published for the Medici Society by Philip Lee Warner, 1910

About this Item

First Riccardi Press edition, attractively bound for the prominent London booksellers John and Edward Bumpus. They enjoyed a reputation for fine bindings from the foundation of the firm in 1780 until the 20th century, the majority of their books bound by renown binders such as Rivière and Sangorski & Sutcliffe. This is number 570 of 1000 copies on handmade Riccardi paper. The Riccardi Press was named for its signature "Riccardi" typeface, created by its founder Herbert P. Horne. The design was based chiefly upon the larger of two faces used in the in the first edition of Horace's works, printed in Florence in 1492 by Antonio Misconsino. The Athenaeum praised this edition with enthusiasm, declaring that it "has everything to make it desirable; the text is sound and good, the paper, ink and printing are first-rate; the type. is one of the best fonts ever cut". The Times of India went further, calling it "an achievement, rarer than a black swan, a perfectly printed book". The edition also comprised 16 copies on vellum, of which 15 were for sale. Octavo (238 x 159 mm). Riccardi press device on half title, initials printed in blue throughout. Contemporary brown morocco for J. & E. Bumpus, spine with raised bands, compartments decorated and lettered in blind and in gilt, similar tooling on covers and board edges, edges gilt. Spine slightly faded, front joint superficially split and darkened, but firm, peripheral browning and couple of small spots to outer leaves, contents bright and clean. A very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 177105

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Opera omnia cura E. C. Wickham.
• Publisher: London: printed by the Riccardi Press and published for the Medici Society by Philip Lee Warner, 1910
• Edition: 1st Edition