Cicero (106-43 BCE)
A bifolium from the Epistolae ad Familiares, in Latin, decorated manuscript on vellum [Italy, first half 15th century].
The opening leaf, engagingly illuminated, of one of the great texts of Classical Antiquity: Cicero’s selection of letters to family members, acquaintances and colleagues that gives a candid and intimate insight into the great Roman politician's life and opinions.

c.288 × 205mm. The outermost leaf of a bifolium, including the first leaf of the parent volume, the text opening with Book 1.1: ‘Ego omni officio ac potius pietate [...]’ and ending in 1.9: ‘sed etiam rei publicae restitutum putabam’, 27 lines in a handsome rounded humanist hand, one large decorated initial ‘E’ opening the text, a rough sketch for a coat of arms in the lower margin of the opening leaf, one initial in red (marginal thumbing and staining, a light crease to the final leaf).

Provenance:
(1) Used as wrappers for Italian documents of 1628 and 1629 (‘M: / 1628 et 1629’ on the opening leaf). ‘Libro di Richiami’ inscription on f.2v.
(2) Colker MS 500; acquired in 2002 from Renzo Rizzi.

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