Demosthenes. DEMOSTHENIS ORATIONUM PARS PRIMA (-TERTIA). 3 vols. Venice: Paulo Manutio, Aldi Filio, 1554. Half bound marbled calf over paper-covered boards, gilt stamped spine. 8vo; *8 a-p8 q4 (q2v blank); A-Z8 aa-hh8 ii3; *2 A-Z8 AA-FF8 G8 H4. Text in Greek. Aldine device on title page of each volume and final verso of vol. 3, woodcut initials. EDIT16 16746.

6 1/4 x 4 1/4 in. each

From the Collection of Professor Roberto Severino, Washington, D.C.

This three-volume edition was in the second library of the famous 19th-century Russian book collector, Count Dimitry Petrovich Boutourlin (1763-1829). Boutourlin served as librarian in the Imperial Russian Library, and is well-known for his own impressive libraries. The first was lost in a fire, and the second, formed during his years in Italy, included a substantial collection of editions from Aldine Press.

Boards with discoloration due to age, staining, some edgewear and rubbed corners with small losses to paper and leather, spines rubbed at head and tail; vol. 1 boards with bending and warping; vol. 3 with date in ink manuscript on front cover; pages toned with minor foxing, several pages frayed at tail or outer margin with losses not impacting text, occasional small chip, tear, or damp stain; vol. 2 and 3 with marginalia; vol. 3 with A4 re-margined and 1 1/4-in. tear to FF6; all volumes with bookplate of Comte D. Boutourlin on paste-down. A good, sturdy set with an important provenance. Extremely rare.