[CICERO, MARCUS TULLIUS]. M. T. Ciceronis libri De Officiis : De Senectute : et De Amicitia. Londini [London]: Typis C. Corrall; Impensis Gul. Pickering, 31, Lincoln's Inn Fields., MDCCCXXI. [1821].
Hardcover. First Edition thus. Leather-bound. Miniature 48mo (85 mm x 48 mm), pp. [6], [1]-155, [1]. Numbered pages. Signatures: pi² A-I⁸ K⁶. Latin text, in lines of 47 (18 lines to the inch). Publisher's original deluxe full vellum binding. Smooth spine gilt ruled and tooled with morocco lettering-piece. Twin gilt frames to boards. Red-dyed pages edges. Marbled pastedowns and endpapers. Engraved portrait of Cicero signed, "R[obert]. Graves Sc.". Additional engraved title-page with vignette of circle with laurel leaves and eagle with wings spread; title within single border with decoration at each corner. Main title-page with royal crest of George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer; all within single border with decoration at each corner; with: ".. delectant domi, non impediunt foris."; also contains: "Typis C. Corrall"; with remaining publisher's information. Dedication to George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer on page [5]. "Excudebat C. Corrall." printed between two lines; page 155. Contains publisher's advertisements verso final leaf. Initial and terminal blanks present. Contains three of Cicero's ethical rhetorics: De Officiis (On Moral Duties); De Senectute (On Old Age); De Amicitia (On Friendship). Scarce. [Keynes 58; Bondy, 86-89; Welsh 1897]. Condition: VERY GOOD. Collated complete. Binding tight and secure. Very slight marks or grubbiness to covers. Contents near immaculate, with faint offsetting at portrait. Neatly inked inscription to front endpaper.
Notes: Printed by C. Corrall in 4.5 point "Diamond" type. Part of the "Pickering's Diamond Classics", these little books were known for their superb printing and binding and important classic contents. Although slightly over the 3" limitation for US miniatures, they are highly collectible.
