{"product_id":"1661-terence-elzevier-latin-comedies","title":"1661 \"The Comedies of Terence (Terentii Comaediae Sex)\" Mini Brown Full Leather Book","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-id=\"d54d18e7-cf56-4889-810b-3d2e012bdb5a\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"591\" data-start=\"0\"\u003eThis is an exquisite 1661 Elzevier edition of \u003cem data-end=\"73\" data-start=\"46\"\u003ePublii Terentii Comoediae\u003c\/em\u003e, printed in Amsterdam by the renowned Officina Elzeviriana. It presents the comedies of Terence, the Roman playwright celebrated for refining Latin comedy with a mix of elegance, humanity, and keen social observation. This edition is based on the recension by Daniel Heinsius, a prominent classical scholar of the Dutch Golden Age, and opens with a stunning engraved title page by Cornelis Claesz Duysend, depicting Venus and Scipio Africanus—an allegorical homage to Terence’s African heritage and classical stature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1069\" data-start=\"593\"\u003eThe book itself is bound in a richly tooled dark leather binding with ornate gilt detailing on the spine and board edges, typical of mid-17th-century craftsmanship. The edges of the text block are beautifully sprinkled and show traces of green and red mottling. Over time, the leather has developed a textured, almost pebbled surface with some spotting, and the spine exhibits wear and minor splitting at the bottom compartment, though the structural integrity remains intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"1804\" data-start=\"1071\"\u003eInside, the pages reflect their age gracefully. There is uniform age toning throughout, particularly along the margins, and foxing is present but generally light. The paper, likely handmade rag stock, has held up remarkably well with its textured, slightly creamy tone—an indicator of quality from this period. The layout is refined, with generous margins and sharp typography enhanced by decorative headpieces and engraved initials, lending the volume an air of learned elegance. A personal touch is added by an armorial bookplate on the front pastedown, bearing the Latin motto \u003cem data-end=\"1675\" data-start=\"1651\"\u003e\"Et veniant, crescunt\"\u003c\/em\u003e—“Let them come, they grow”—and an image of a hand holding a quill, suggesting provenance from a scholarly or bibliophilic owner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-end=\"2101\" data-start=\"1806\"\u003eThis Elzevier printing is highly collectible, not only for its connection to classical antiquity and Dutch humanist scholarship but also for its enduring beauty and tactile charm. It’s a remarkable survivor of early modern European bookmaking, blending literary gravitas with artisan refinement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e[d]Author | Publius Terentius Afer (Terence) [d]Title | Publii Terentii Comoediae [d]Publisher | Officina Elzeviriana [d]Date | 1661 [d]Edition | Elzevier edition, text after Daniel Heinsius [d]Binding | Full dark leather with gilt tooling to spine and board edges [d]Features | Engraved title page by Cornelis Claesz Duysend, decorative initials, sharp typography, sprinkled edges with green and red mottling, armorial bookplate with motto Et veniant, crescunt [d]Dimensions | 4.75 in H x 3 in W x 1 in D [d]Origin | Amsterdam [d]Language | Latin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e[condition] The leather binding shows significant wear appropriate to its age, with rubbing, spotting, and cracking along the spine and edges. The joints are starting to split, most notably at the top, though the boards remain intact and attached. A tear along the inner hinge of the front flyleaf has caused slight separation but the book remains structurally sound overall. The engraved title page is sharp and fully legible. Pages throughout show typical age toning, light foxing, and minor creasing, all consistent with a volume of more than 360 years. The typography and decorative elements retain their classical clarity. A working copy with honest wear and genuine presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Austyn Marie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49975207133462,"sku":"AMD-0276","price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0896\/4623\/5926\/files\/ECC7BFE4-AE48-4206-90E1-FA6CEBA4EC1D_1_201_a.jpg?v=1774990670","url":"https:\/\/austynmariedesign.com\/products\/1661-terence-elzevier-latin-comedies","provider":"Austyn Marie Design","version":"1.0","type":"link"}