Publii Terentii Afri Comoediae
first edition Hardcover
1772 · Birmingham
by TERENCE (185-159 B.C.) [Terentius Afer, Publius] BASKERVILLE PRESS
Birmingham: John Baskerville, 1772. First Edition thus, First Baskerville Edition. Hardcover. Very Good+. Large 4to (290 x 228mm). [2], 364pp. Contemporary French red morocco, gilt line border round sides, gilt spine, inner dentelles, gilt edges; (uniformly toned; corners bumped). First Baskerville Edition. John Baskerville (1706-1775) was a great English type-founder and printer known for his achievements working with classical texts. Along with this Terence text; works of Lucretius, Catullus et Tibullus and Propertius were issued in 1772, and Sallustius et Florus was issued in 1773. These, with the Virgil, are the Latin Classics in quarto printed by Baskerville. They were renowned for being clear and perfect, referencing the beautiful large type and wide margins. They were printed in Baskervilles declining years, but they stamped him as the first printer of his time. A duodecimo edition for Catullus, Terence, and Horace were also issued in 1772; and for Lucretius in 1773. These Baskerville editions are said to be the most correct, and is thought by some to be the most beautiful of all the books that Baskerville printed. Gaskell 46. (Inventory #: D2442)