Bidspirit auction | 1782 POMPONII MELA DE SITU

1782 POMPONII MELA DE SITU ORBIS ARMORIAL VELLUM BINDING ANTIQUE GEOGRAPHY - POMPONII MELAE De Situ Orbis Libri III. Ed. O.J. Nunnesius, J. Perizonius and A. Gronovius. Leyden, S. and J. Luchtmans, 1782 3 parts in 1 volume (20), 1081,(50)p. Engraved frontispiece, folding map and some text illustrations. Good condition. Lacks ties. Some wear of the vellum. A few pages are waterstained. Size 5 by 8” Original schoolprize vellum binding with gilt coat of arms on the both covers Text in Latin Pomponius Mela, who wrote around AD 43, was the earliest Roman geographer. He was born in Tingentera (now Algeciras) and died c. AD 45. His short work (De situ orbis libri III.) remained in use nearly to the year 1500 It occupies less than one hundred pages of ordinary print, and is described by the Encyclopædia Britannica (1911) as ”dry in style and deficient in method, but of pure Latinity, and occasionally relieved by pleasing word-pictures.” Except for the geographical parts of Pliny's Historia naturalis (where Mela is cited as an important authority), the De situ orbis is the only formal treatise on the subject in Classical Latin. A remarkable collectible, offering historical significance and aesthetic appeal. Ideal for the discerning collector or as a unique display piece. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions will ship all lots domestically for $25.00 per lot. Combined and international shipping are available. The rates will be provided upon request.