C. Plinii Caecilii Secundi Epistolarum Libri Decem et Panegyricus by Pliny the Younger (Rare Lemaire Edition), 1822 📜🏛️🧐

Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare Lemaire Edition of C. Plinii Caecilii Secundi Epistolarum Libri Decem et Panegyricus, a primary source of Roman history from Pliny the Younger.

Published in 1822, this volume contains the complete surviving letters of Pliny and his oration in praise of Emperor Trajan. It is a verifiable artifact for collectors of classical studies and antiquarian books, providing a direct connection to the daily life, politics, and culture of the Roman aristocracy in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.

The book holds both intellectual and material value, representing a period of renewed scholarly interest in antiquity during the early 19th-century European Enlightenment. Its enduring legacy and careful preservation make this a premier acquisition for any serious library.

About the Book 📖✍️✨

Epistolarum Libri Decem et Panegyricus contains the definitive Latin text of Pliny the Younger's two most significant works.

The volume includes ten books of his letters, which offer a firsthand view of aristocratic life, politics, and culture in ancient Rome. It also includes his Panegyricus, a formal oration praising Emperor Trajan, which is a key source for understanding Roman administration. The letters are a literary record, revealing personal insights and social commentary on the world he inhabited.

This edition is a scholarly work, meticulously compiled and annotated by Nicolaus Eligius Lemaire. This work's scholarly depth, with its critical notes and textual readings, reflects the period when European academia was placing a renewed emphasis on the careful examination of ancient texts. The physical book itself, produced by the celebrated Parisian printer Firminus Didot, is a documented piece of 19th-century French publishing.

About the Author ✍️🏛️

Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus (c. 61 – c. 113 AD), widely known as Pliny the Younger, was a Roman author, lawyer, and magistrate. He was a witness to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which he famously described in a letter. Pliny advanced through the Roman cursus honorum, or career path, culminating in a consulship in 100 AD and a special governorship of the province of Pontus-Bithynia. His letters and orations are among the most important primary sources for understanding Roman life.

This book also features the scholarly work of Nicolaus Eligius Lemaire (1767–1832), a French professor of classical literature. Lemaire was the general editor of the ambitious Lemaire Classical Library, a celebrated publishing project that aimed to produce high-quality, scholarly editions of classical texts. This edition showcases Lemaire’s dedication to producing meticulously researched and annotated works, making him a central figure in the revival of classical studies in the 19th century.

Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

This book was published in 1822 in Paris, a period of renewed scholarly interest in classical antiquity across Europe. The early 19th century saw a shift from the Enlightenment's focus on reason to a more detailed study of the past. The Lemaire Classical Library was a direct reflection of this trend, moving away from simple reading texts to highly-annotated, critical editions intended for academic study.

The publication of this volume reflects the enduring fascination with ancient Roman society and government. The book is a time capsule of both Roman antiquity and 19th-century intellectual life. The letters of Pliny offer a unique glimpse into the administrative and social concerns of a Roman senator.

The publication of this edition reflects the desire of 19th-century European scholars to understand ancient Rome not just through its grand narratives, but through the personal and practical details of its elite class. The book is a bridge between two distinct historical periods, one in which the letters were written and one in which they were meticulously re-examined.

The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of rare classical literature, a scholar of Roman history, or a private collector of fine 19th-century bindings. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's dual significance as both an ancient text and a document of 19th-century academic history.

This is an item for a collector interested in the intersection of literature and history. It is not just for display, but for a reader who is serious about understanding the history of classical letters and the world of Roman governance.

Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

Published 203 years ago, this volume from the Lemaire edition is a scarce asset. This edition was part of a major scholarly project and was not printed for wide circulation, making a well-preserved copy a genuine find on the market. The book is a window into the history of classical scholarship in the 19th century, providing a firsthand look into the methods and research of a major classical scholar.

The price is a direct reflection of the book's rarity, its historical significance, and its condition for an item of its age. The book's value as a scholarly document and a physical artifact makes it a strong acquisition. Its worth lies in its historical context and its scarcity within the specialized field of antiquarian books.

This is a non-replicable asset that is unlikely to reappear on the market for years to come. This volume offers an opportunity to build a personal library with an item of academic importance.

Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is a well-preserved survivor from the early 19th century, showing authentic wear consistent with its age.

• The covers show rubbing and scuffing, particularly along the edges and on the spine.

• The binding is a half-leather over marbled boards, which remains solid and tight.

• The pages have some expected toning and minor foxing throughout, a natural process for paper from this period.

• The pages are free from any major tears or stains, and the interior text block is clean.

• The book is free of any detached or loose pages.

Inscriptions/Ephemera ✍️📜🔤

This book contains a handwritten inscription on the inner flyleaf, which provides a direct and personal connection to the item's history. This element transforms the volume from a collectible book into a singular historical artifact. The inscription reads:

• Mr. William Baker Esq.

Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The letters in this volume are famous for providing two eyewitness accounts of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Pliny the Younger, who was 17 at the time, detailed his observations in a letter to the historian Tacitus, providing a vivid account of the disaster that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum.

• This edition is a significant part of the Lemaire Classical Library, a massive undertaking that produced nearly 150 volumes of classical authors. The project was known for its meticulous scholarship and handsome bindings. This volume's inclusion in this series makes it a highly desirable collectible for those interested in the history of publishing.

• The publisher Firmin Didot (1764-1836) was a member of the renowned Didot family, a French dynasty of printers, typographers, and publishers. The family's contributions to typography are significant, including the invention of new typefaces and printing techniques.

Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: C. Plinii Caecilii Secundi Epistolarum Libri Decem et Panegyricus

• Author/Maker: Pliny the Younger, with notes by Nicolaus Eligius Lemaire

• Year: 1822

• Publisher/Foundry: Firminus Didot

• Place of Origin: Paris, France

• Format/Binding: Half-Leather over Boards

• Edition: Lemaire Edition

• Rarity: Rare