Plutarchus, Les oeuvres morales, Paris, 1574, 2 volumes, contemporary limp vellum gilt for P.R.

3 volumes only, of six, plus index, bound in two volumes, 8vo (172 x 112 mm). Roman type, 31 lines plus headline. collation: a⁸ b⁴ (b4 blank) A-Z⁸ 2a-2t⁸; π² 2V-4I⁸; π² 3G-4I⁸ 4K²; π² A-2N⁸ 2O⁴: 934 leaves. Ruled in red throughout. (Worming at inner margin from 3K1-3L2).

binding: Parisian limp vellum with fore-edge flaps (174 x 112 mm), circa 1580, 2 gilt fillets around side, rosette at each corner, gilt fillet round fore-edge flaps, orientalising gilt medallion in centre, traces of 2 pairs of ties, flat spine, 5 false bands formed by 3 gilt fillets, horizontal 2 line title lettered in gilt in top compartment, gilt fleurons in others, edges gilt and gauffered to a floriate arabesque design, heightened in pink enamel, the initials "P.R." on head- and tail-edges, the date "1580" in a frame across the fore-edge, fourteenth-century manuscript leaf used as binding support. (Lower pastedown of second volume torn, some wear to bindings).

provenance: Initials P.R. of original owner gauffered on head- and tail-edges. acquisition: Purchased in 1991 from Librairie Pinault, Paris. references: USTC 1574