Library Catalogue: Case 15. Fourth Shelf. 8vo. Plutarchi Opera--6 Tom., [do] in 7 Tom.
The set contains a duplicate copy of vol. XIII of the Stephanus edition, containing the Appendix, not listed in Jefferson’s
manuscript nor in the printed Library catalogues. Old calf, initialled by Jefferson at sig. [I]
j, and with the Library of Congress 1815 bookplate.
On the half-title is written, not by Jefferson:
Excudebat H. Stephanus, Parisiis, 1572.
Jefferson bought several editions of Plutarch’s works. In 1787 he bought a copy from Froullé in Paris; in 1791 he bought a
set from John Pemberton, the Philadelphia quaker, who wrote to Jefferson on July 16: “I send the books thou paid for 2 months past. they are not in such good order as I could have wished. they suffered while
in the Bookseller’s hands--that if thou does not approve of them I cannot insist on thy taking them.
6 vol; Plutarch’s lives, Greek.}
7 vol; do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .}2.10”
[The books were paid for on May 16 according to an entry in Jefferson’s note book.]
In the following year, 1792, Jefferson ordered from Lackington’s catalogue a copy of the 1762 edition, which he describes
as “
4421. h.b. not uniform, 12mo. 9/-.” On April 15, 1806, he bought from Roche of Philadelphia Dacier’s French edition, 14 vol. 12mo. The undated manuscript catalogue has an entry:
Plutarchi vitae, 7 vols. 8vo. Gr. Lat. 60f4.
John Pemberton, 1727-1795, Quaker preacher of Philadelphia. For an account of him and his activities, see the Dictionary of American Biography.
[69]
J.70
Cornelius Nepos. not. var.
8
vo.
1815 Catalogue, page 4. no. 79, Cornelius Nepos, Notis Varior. 8vo.
NEPOS,
Cornelius.
Cornelii Nepotis Vitæ Excellentium Imperatorum, Observationibus ac Notis Commentatorum, quotquot hactenus innotuere, Illustratæ. Accesserunt
huic Editioni præcipuorum Græciæ Imperatorum Icones æri incisæ, ut & Index Rerum & Verborum præcedenti multo auctior & emendatior.
Amstelodami: Ex Typographia
P. & J. Blaeu, prostant apud
Wolfgang,
Janssonio-Waesbergios,
Boom,
à Someren, &
Goethals,
M DC LXXXVII. [1687.]
PA6515 .A2 1687
8vo. 256 leaves, text printed in long lines, notes in double columns, engraved medallion portraits in the text, printer’s
woodcut device on the title-page.
Ebert I, 5262.
Dibdin, page 269.
Rebound in calf, marbled endpapers, in the late nineteenth century. Initialled by Jefferson at sigs. I and T. On the title-page the autograph signature:
R. Blythmans. 96.
Jefferson bought a copy of an edition of this book from Milligan on March 5, 1815, at which time Milligan was supplying replacement
copies of books missing at the time of the sale of the library to Congress.
In a letter to Thomas J. Rogers, written in December 1823, concerning his forthcoming biographical dictionary, Jefferson expressed
the opinion that the works of Cornelius Nepos would be suitable for children “
when at the reading school. nothing would interest them more than such works as Cornelius Nepos . . .”
Cornelius Nepos, c. 99-c. 24 B.C. This is the fourth variorum edition of this work, which contains parallel lives of distinguished Romans
and foreigners, and is an exact reprint of the edition of Hackius of 1675, including the dedication. The first variorum edition
appeared in 1658.
[70]
J.71
id.
Foul.
12
mo.
1815 Catalogue, page 4. no. 30, Cornelius Nepos, Foulis, 12mo.
NEPOS,
Cornelius.
Cornelii Nepotis Excellentium Imperatorum Vitæ. Ex editione Oxoniensi. Glasguæ: In ædibus
Academicis Excudebant
Robertus et Andreas Foulis,
M DCC LXI. [1761.]
PA6515 .A2 1761
