De Rerum Natura [= On the Nature of Things]; Libri Sex

Parisiis [= Paris]: In Gulielmi Rouillij et Philippi G. Rouillij Nep, 1563. Later edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 4to. [24], 1-559, [3] pp. Twentieth-century calf (bound in the style of the eighteenth century) with the spine in six compartments, gilt decorations on the spine, a red morocco label lettered in gilt on the spine; all edges stained red. Eighteenth-century marbled endpapers and pastedowns (apparently taken from an earlier binding). With woodcut initials and headpieces, title page with a decorative woodcut border. Adams 1659. Brunet 196. Gordon 102. With the commentary of Dionysius Lambinus. The first Lambinus edition of Lucretius. A beautiful (truncated) poem discussing the tenets of Epicureanism, the nature of atoms and natural qualities of substances, love, the mortality of the soul and the death of our universe. A rich discussion of ancient science and metaphysics, and the only known work of the mysterious Roman figure who was admired by Cicero. Lucretius was also a catalyst for the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras. With later annotations in French on the free front paper and on the bottom margin of the title page, a few corners of the leaves have a small chip. The binding is sharp and bright. (Inventory #: 000011654)