Description: One of the great classics of literary and linguistic scholarship, this book is a comprehensive account (in Latin) of the old Germanic languages (Old English, Old Icelandic, Gothic, Frankish, etc.) and literatures, together with a catalogue of all manuscripts known at that time containing Old English (the English language before ca. 1100). Published by the Oxford University Press in 1703-05 in two folio volumes, it is a splendid example of the state of the publishing industry at that time: printed with numerous typefaces (for every language had to have its proper script) and with dozens of engraved plates illustrating manuscripts and artifacts. One interesting detail about this copy is that two sheets, copy and proof for a page from Maurice Shelton, trans., Wotton’s Short View of George Hickes’s Grammatico-Critical and Archeological Treasury of the Ancient Northern Languages, 2nd ed. (1737), have been bound into the Norse section of the book (see photos), suggesting the likelihood that this copy belonged to Shelton.This copy (which the present owner purchased at Bernard Quaritch ca. 1977) is bound in three volumes, with volume 2 (the catalogue) bound as volume 1 and volume 1 as volumes 2 and 3. It has been carefully collated against both online and physical copies and verified to be complete. It is in good condition, with all plates present and intact and all pages legible and in good condition (no significant foxing, moderate browning, occasionally some soot in the margins (see photos), and a few marginal notes by early owners). The 20th-century binding is half leather with blue marbled paper covering the boards; there is some wear at the hinges and some rubbing of the paper. Evidence of an earlier binding is still present. Contact the seller for further details about this copy, including more photos and further information on the Shelton connection.
Price: 1550 USD
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
End Time: 2024-10-04T03:30:01.000Z
Shipping Cost: 19.63 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Publication Year: 1703
Book Title: Linguarum vett. septentrionalium thesaurus grammatico-criticus et
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Original Language: Latin
Item Length: 10.25 in
Edition: First Edition
Vintage: Yes
Format: Hardcover
Language: Latin
Era: 1700s
Item Height: 16.25 in
Author: George Hickes
Features: Leather Bound
Genre: Antiquarian & Collectible
Topic: Languages, Literature
Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
Item Weight: 21 lb.
Item Width: 6 in
