Written In Latin
This is an exquisite 1661 Elzevier edition of Publii Terentii Comoediae, printed in Amsterdam by the renowned Officina Elzeviriana. It presents the comedies of Terence, the Roman playwright celebrated for refining Latin comedy with a mix of elegance, humanity, and keen social observation. This edition is based on the recension by Daniel Heinsius, a prominent classical scholar of the Dutch Golden Age, and opens with a stunning engraved title page by Cornelis Claesz Duysend, depicting Venus and Scipio Africanus—an allegorical homage to Terence’s African heritage and classical stature.
The book itself is bound in a richly tooled dark leather binding with ornate gilt detailing on the spine and board edges, typical of mid-17th-century craftsmanship. The edges of the text block are beautifully sprinkled and show traces of green and red mottling. Over time, the leather has developed a textured, almost pebbled surface with some spotting, and the spine exhibits wear and minor splitting at the bottom compartment, though the structural integrity remains intact.
Inside, the pages reflect their age gracefully. There is uniform age toning throughout, particularly along the margins, and foxing is present but generally light. The paper, likely handmade rag stock, has held up remarkably well with its textured, slightly creamy tone—an indicator of quality from this period. The layout is refined, with generous margins and sharp typography enhanced by decorative headpieces and engraved initials, lending the volume an air of learned elegance. A personal touch is added by an armorial bookplate on the front pastedown, bearing the Latin motto "Et veniant, crescunt"—“Let them come, they grow”—and an image of a hand holding a quill, suggesting provenance from a scholarly or bibliophilic owner.
This Elzevier printing is highly collectible, not only for its connection to classical antiquity and Dutch humanist scholarship but also for its enduring beauty and tactile charm. It’s a remarkable survivor of early modern European bookmaking, blending literary gravitas with artisan refinement.
Condition:
This Elzevier edition of Publii Terentii Comoediae is a beautifully aged example of early modern printing, bound in richly gilt-tooled leather that now shows significant wear, with rubbing, spotting, and some cracking along the spine and edges. The joints are starting to split, especially at the top, though the boards remain intact. A tear along the inner hinge of the front flyleaf exposes slight separation, but the book remains structurally sound. Inside, the engraved title page is sharp, and while the pages show typical age toning, light foxing, and minor creasing, the typography and decorative elements retain their classical charm.
