Lucretius Carus (Titus) De rerum natura libri... Lot n° 39

Lucretius Carus (Titus) De rerum natura libri sex, edited by Denys Lambin, collation: a, e, i, A-Z, Aa-Zz, AAa-ZZz, AAA4, title within large woodcut historiated border, woodcut head-pieces and initials, contemporary ink inscription at head partly crossed out, title a little soiled and torn with slight loss (small repair to upper edge), first few leaves frayed at edges, crease to signatures 2H & 2I causing tear/hole, tears to 2 M4, 3 B4 & 3C1 with marginal loss to 3B4, ink spot to 3E2, slight worming to inner margin at head (mostly single hole but increasing towards end), contemporary limp vellum, a little rubbed and browned, 4to (223 x 150mm.), Paris, Guillaume Rouillé, 1563. ⁂ The first Lambin edition of this important work, described in Printing and the Mind of Man as "one of the grandest and most moving poems in the Latin language". The French classical scholar and philologist Denys Lambin (1516-72) was one of the greatest critical editors of his time and PMM notes, his "editorial work expresses a deep sympathy for his subject and the prefaces and notes are a monument of erudition and fine vigorous Latinity". Literature: Adams L1659; PMM 87.