Cicero, Letters to Atticus, Brutus, to his brother Quintus, and the spurious Letter to Octavius. Edited and printed by Paulus Manutius (Paulo Manuzzi), Venice 1544.

These works of Cicero were Renaissance rediscoveries, so this is a book that illustrates the ‘new learning’ of the period.  Paolo was the son of the much more famous Aldus Manutius (1449-1515), who set himself to publish newly-available Greek classical authors in the original language.  His enduring influence is demonstrated by the retention of his device and name ‘ALDUS’ on the title page, and the colophon which states that the volume was printed ‘APUD ALDI FILIOS’ (‘by the sons of Aldus’).

Note, on the displayed pages, that space was left for the capital letters to be added by hand, doubtless in red; the printer has supplied a ‘letter d’atteinte’ to guide the rubricator, who may not have been skilled in Latin.  Notice also that, like some manuscripts, this book was foliated (i.e. numbered by leaves), not paginated.  Note also the signature ‘Aiii’ in the lower margin of f. 1.  A represents the quire (also called ‘section’ or ‘gathering’), iii the number of the leaf within the quire.  This was a device to ensure that the book was bound in the correct order.

Cent College Rare PA 6297. A5 1544.  From the Library of Christ College; apparently bought from the bookseller William Pickering, London, in 1844.

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