Londini [London]: A. J. Valpy, 1824. The Delphin Classics or Ad usum Delphini was a series of annotated editions of the Latin classics, intended to be comprehensive, which was originally created in the 17th century. The first volumes were created in the 1670s for Louis, le Grand Dauphin, heir of Louis XIV (“Delphini” is the Latinization (genitive) of Dauphin), and were written entirely in Latin. The main features included the main Latin texts; a paraphrase in the margins or below in simpler Latin prose (an ordo verborum); extended notes on specific words and lines, mainly about history, myth, geography, or natural sciences; and indices. The collection includes 64 volumes published from 1670 to 1698 [Wikipedia]. The Ad Usum Delphini series were reprinted for centuries and served in classrooms across Europe and the Americas. Beginning in 1819 a series of Latin classics was published in England under the name Valpy's Delphin Classics by Abraham John Valpy. These volumes were part of Valpy's series.

Bound in full brown leather with gilt rulings to covers and spines, with dark brown title and volume number labels. Stamped: Bound by J. MacKenzie Bookbinder of the King. Cracking and sunning to leather on spine, pulls to leather on boards, and rubbing. Crack is starting on front hinge of volume II. The volume label on the second volume is no longer present. Endpapers are foxed and browned, but interior pages are generally clean and bright with occasional foxing. Bookplates of Ernest Augustus, Earl of Lisburne affixed to pastedowns. Very good condition. Octavos. Continuously paginated: 1540, ccv. ROMHIS/112122.

Item #36118

Price: $125.00