Eugène Talbot - History of Roman Literature (1883) | Petite Collection Lemerre

Antique French edition of Histoire de la littérature romaine by Eugène Talbot, published by the Parisian publisher Alphonse Lemerre in 1883. In this work, Talbot examines the development of Roman literature from its earliest origins to late antiquity, with extensive attention devoted to writers such as Virgil, Horace, Cicero, Ovid, Seneca, and Tacitus.

The book belongs to the Petite Collection Lemerre and is bound in the publisher's characteristic dark green percaline. The front cover and spine feature gilded lettering and the publisher's emblem, combined with black and gilded border lines. All three edges of the book are colored red. The binding bears the year 1890, while the title page states the original 1883 edition.

The interior is also beautifully presented, with decorative chapter headings, illuminated initials, and typographic ornaments at the beginning of the various chapters. The book ends on page 447 with the conclusion of the alphabetical index.

Details:

• Author: Eugène Talbot
• Title: Histoire de la littérature romaine
• Publisher: Alphonse Lemerre
• Place of publication: Paris
• Publication year on title page: 1883
• Date on publisher's binding: 1890
• Series: Petite Collection Lemerre
• Language: French
• Subject: Roman and Latin literary history
• Extent: VII + 447 pages
• Binding: green percaline publisher's binding
• Decoration: gilded and black lettering and ornamentation
• Edges: colored red
• Interior: decorative chapter headings and illuminated initials
• Dimensions: approx. 15.6 × 9.5 cm
• Thickness: approx. 3.2 cm
• Origin: France
• Period: 19th century
• Classification: antique

Condition:
Good antiquarian condition with signs of use and age. The green publisher's binding shows wear at the edges and corners, some superficial spots, and localized discoloration. The gilded lettering and decoration are largely well preserved. The red edges are still strikingly bright. The paper shows scattered foxing and light age-related discoloration, especially on some of the front and back leaves. The text block appears solid, and the work is complete up to page 447 and the conclusion of the alphabetical index.