Tragoediae septem; ad optimorum librorum recensuit et brevibus notis instruxit I. G. A. Erfurdt. v.2. Volume v.2. 1827 [Hardcover] by Sophocles - 2020

Oxford: J. Parker & T. Payne & H. Foss & G. B. Whittaker, 1826. Leather. Very Good. 8.5" by 5.5". None. A two volume set of Sophocles' tragic dramas, with fragments of lost plays to volume two. Volume one has been hollowed out to make a book-safe. Two volumes. Latin language. The pages of volume one have been excised to make a book-safe, or hollowed-out book in an attempt to conceal objects within. Books have often been used as a concealment device because they are readily available and inconspicuous in most settings, the safe can be clear to recognise for the owner but don't stand out to a thief. Many examples are found in television and film. Volume two contains some of the Sophocles' seven tragic plays, with sections in the original ancient Greek and notes in Latin. The plays included are Philoctetes and Electra, with fragments of the lost plays to the rear. Written by Sophocles, an ancient Greek tragedian. In the original full calf binding. Externally, smart with rubbing and… Read More

Oxonii [Oxford]: Typis N. Bliss; impensis R. Bliss, et R. Bliss, jun., 1808. 2 vols., 8vo, pp. xx, 555, [1]; [iv], 186, 197, [1], 190, [2, ads]. Contemporary black straight-grain morocco, boards bordered with a gilt rule, spines divided by raised bands between gilt rules, lettered in gilt direct turn-ins with a gilt swag roll, edges gilt. Paper a little toned, occasional spotting. Bindings rubbed at joints and edges, some small spots of surface wear, spines dulled. Armorial bookplate printed in brown of Henry Harden to front pastedowns. An unusually elaborate production (and binding) for a text published by Bliss, whose usual output was small-format texts for school and university use. It reprints of Brunck's valuable edition of Sophocles, which had been published by the editor in several formats beginning in 1786, though these had been largely expensive and limited productions. Brunck's octavo editions had been spread across three volumes, while this one prints all the Greek texts in the… Read More