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53 - LUCAIN. De bello civilii, libri decem.
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Estimate €500 - €700
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Description
LUCAIN. De bello civilii, libri decem. Lyon: Symphorien Barbier for Jean Frellon, 1562. - In-16, 115 x 70 : 239 pp. Tan calf, gilt fillet and spandrels with foliage motif on covers, gilt arms in centre, on first cover inscription "Ia Langladanus Iacobo", and on second cover "Dono dedit Savioni", richly decorated smooth spine, gilt edges (contemporary binding). New Latin edition of Lucan's La Pharsale, preceded by a life of the author taken from Pietro Crinito's De poetis latinis. This epic poem is divided into ten books, the first eight dealing with the war between Caesar and Pompey, the last two recounting the expeditions to Africa and Egypt. A fine impression in italic type, produced by Symphorien Barbier for Jean Frellon (15..-1570). A precious, fully ruled copy, bound in the arms of the city of Geneva and bearing a gilt ex-dono on the boards: "Ia. Langladanus Iacobo. Dono dedit Savioni". The arms are accompanied by the date 1562 and the motto "Post tenebras lux", giving this copy a major historical and symbolic dimension. "Ia. Langladanus Iacobo. Dono dedit Savioni" indicates that the book was a gift from Jacobus Langladanus to a certain Savion, probably a student, pastor or scholar with links to Geneva. "Post tenebras lux" ("After the darkness, the light") was the emblematic motto of the Protestant Reformation, illustrating the spiritual rebirth advocated by Calvin: the rediscovery of evangelical purity after the "obscurities" of the medieval tradition. These features - the arms of Geneva, the Calvinist motto and the date 1562 - strongly suggest that this copy came from the Académie de Genève (founded in 1559 by Jean Calvin), a flagship institution of the Reformation that trained Protestant pastors and intellectual elites. The book could therefore have been given as a reward or gift to Savion, a student or member of this learned community. Inside is another ex-dono dated 20 August 1620, in a mixture of Latin and Greek, in which a certain Joannes Seva gives this book to D. Tamonio or Gamonio as a token of a deep and lasting friendship. Very skilful and discreet restorations at the bottom of the spine and at the corners. Discreet trace of wetness on the second cover. Without the original ties. Some soiling inside. Provenance : Académie de Genève. - Savion, with ex-dono on the binding. - D. Tamonio or Gamonio, with handwritten ex-dono and signature on the title.
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About the sale ENLUMINATIONS, ANCIENT and MODERN BOOKS
Auction location
Auction time 06/17/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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