Cicero, Marcus Tullius

4to (260 x 162mm.), 133 leaves (of 136, without 3 blanks), [a¹⁰ b-m⁸ n¹⁰ o-q⁸ r⁴], 30 lines, roman type, first page with 8-line white vine stem illuminated initial, with slightly later white lettering (containing the title) on a blue ground along inner and outer margins, sections of green gilt decorated paper pasted to head and foot of title page at a later date, other 1- and 2-line initials in red and faded blue, 6- and 8-line illuminated initials (with faded pigments), eighteenth-century English red morocco gilt, spine gilt in compartments, washed, title-page with head and foot of leaf cut away (replaced with gilt paper), first quire with a few paper repairs and wormholes, last few leaves reinforced around sewing, binding slightly rubbed, joints cracking at head and foot, spine chipped at head

Earl of Sunderland, removed from Blenheim Palace, sale, Puttick and Simpson, 12 December 1881, lot 3046 ("old crimson morocco gilt"), with Sunderland shelfmark on flyleaf; pencil note on flyleaf "This copy fetched £10 at the Sunderland sale"; Sir Edward Sullivan, bookplate, sale, Sotheby's, 23 May 1890, lot 1465, £5-5, to Sotheran; William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899

Goff C577; HCR 5257; BMC v 155; Bod-inc C-311; GW 6926; Grosjean & O'Connell 42

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A rare early de Spira imprint; we have not been able to trace a recent auction record for this edition. This is one of several texts by Cicero issued in the early years of the de Spira press, and was reprinted by him in July 1472. De officiis was possibly the most printed text of the infancy of printing, with 28 extant editions produced by 1482.