Beschreibung:

Károly Reviczky (1737-93) Bibliotheca Graeca et Latina 1784 [REVICZKY, Károly Imre Sándor (Count, 1737-93)] ‘Periergus Deltophilus. Bibliotheca Graeca et Latina. Berlin: privately printed by Johann Friedrich Unger for Reviczky, 1784. Rare first edition, privately printed in only a small number of copies, in a fine presentation binding. Prince Kaunitz (1711-94) was Austria's greatest diplomatist before Metternich. As Chancellor he was the superior of Reviczky, who served as imperial ambassador to the Court of St. James's. Reviczky's catalogue describes in detail his own magnificent collection of editiones principes and other editions of the classics. In 1790 the collection was purchased en bloc by the second Earl Spencer (now at the John Rylands University Library, Manchester). Taylor 257-258; De Ricci p. 73. Octavo (201 x 122mm). With the 16-page Lettre/Avertissement but without the 29-page Supplements apparently issued in 1786-88 (faint spotting on half-title). Contemporary German presentation binding: gold-tooled crimson red morocco, triple-fillet border on sides, presentation inscription lettered at centre of front cover: celsissimo domino I.W.S.R.I. principi a Kaunitz comiti in Rietberg. etc., quotation from Horace on back cover: Serus in coelum redeas..., spine decorated in compartments, with green morocco lettering-piece, roll-tooled border on turn-ins, gilt edges, marbled endpapers; modern box. Provenance: Wenzel Anton, Fürst von Kaunitz-Rietberg (presentation inscription on binding) – Bernard Breslauer (sale Christie’s, Bibliotheca Bibliographica Breslaueriana, 21 March 2005, lot 68).