Aurei Saeculi Imago, sive Germanorum veterum vita, mores, ritus, & religio. Iconibus delineata, & commentarijs ex utriusque linguae auctoribus descripta.

4to: [14] ff. (cut short shaving bottom lines and ornaments, title and final f. mounted, toned and spotted).

19th-c. gilt-crushed red morocco, covers with gilt-ruled borders and corner pieces, gilt spine, all edges gilt, gilt inside dotted border, marbled endpapers, green silk marker (slightly rubbed, head and tail rubbed). Good copy, ruled in red.

Rare only edition of a sample of Ortelius’ antiquarian activities. It sketches and shows the ancient history of the Germanic tribes, focusing on childhood, character, family life, marriage, the office of the dead, law and administration. With 10 beautiful oval engravings by Ph. Galle after Peeter van der Borcht. Woodcut Plantin Press mark at the end.
Ref. Imhof (Moretus) O-73.- BT 2284.- Hollstein (Van der Borcht) 2349-2358.- Pettegree (NB) 23265.- Not in Adams.
Prov. Old British Museum stamps (Duplicate sale 1787). - On front flyleaf a reference to "Leigh’s sale 1803", i.e. the auction of the collection of Austin Leigh, secretary of the Tax-office. - [Georges Petit].