Bidspirit auction | 1784 POMPONIUS MELA CLASSICAL LATIN

1784 POMPONIUS MELA CLASSICAL LATIN WORKS ANTIQUE SCHOOL PRIZED VELLUM BINDING - Mela, P. De situ orbis libri III. Ed. OJ Nunnesius, J. Perizonius and A. Gronovius. Leyden, S. Luchtmans et Phil., 1748 2 parts in 1 volume Size 5 by 8” (20), 375,(5), 379-1081,(55)p., engraved frontispiece, folding map and illustrations Original vellum with central gilt coat of arms of AMERSFOORT within ornamental border with corner fleuron on both covers, spine gilt with fleuron, silk ties. Small stamp on title and last page; Soiled binding; ties worn. With the prize to ”Theodorum Halswijk”, dated 1784. Text in Latin Pomponius Mela, who wrote around AD 43, was the earliest Roman geographer. He was born in Tingentera (now Algeciras) and died c. AD 45. His short work (De situ orbis libri III.) remained in use nearly to the year 1500. It occupies less than one hundred pages of ordinary print, and is described by the Encyclopædia Britannica (1911) as ”dry in style and deficient in method, but of pure Latinity, and occasionally relieved by pleasing word-pictures.” Except for the geographical parts of Pliny's Historia naturalis (where Mela is cited as an important authority), the De situ orbis is the only formal treatise on the subject in Classical Latin. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions will ship all lots domestically for $25.00 per lot. Combined and international shipping are available. The rates will be provided upon request.