Q. Horatii Flacci Opera Illustrated from Antique Gems by C.W. King, Text by H.A.J. Munro, 1869. Prize binding attested by G. G. Ramsay
This handsome Glasgow University prize volume was awarded for Latin in 1893 and personally signed on the presentation label by George Gilbert Ramsay (1835-1921), the distinguished classical scholar and Professor of Humanity at the University of Glasgow. Ramsay occupied the chair from 1863 until 1906 and was also a keen mountaineer, becoming the first President of the Scottish Mountaineering Club. The presentation label is completed in manuscript for Carolus [Charles] W. Thomson and personally signed "G.G. Ramsay L.H.P." by Ramsay. Bound in an attractive contemporary full calf prize binding by Maclehose of Glasgow.
A particularly attractive edition of Horace, extensively illustrated from ancient engraved gems selected by Charles William King (1818-1888), the noted Victorian authority on classical gems and glyptics. The designs, reproduced at twice the size of the originals, provide visual counterparts to passages in Horace, with detailed notes at the rear identifying and discussing the individual gems and their sources. The Latin text was revised by the distinguished classical scholar H.A.J. Munro (1819-1885), best known for his important edition and translation of Lucretius. An unusual and scarce production, finely printed at the Chiswick Press.
A particularly attractive volume, copiously illustrated with depictions of classical engraved gems. A scarce edition.
One of a remarkable group of Glasgow University prize volumes awarded between 1889 and 1895 to Charles William Thomson (1871-...), a notably distinguished student who won fifteen University prizes and graduated M.A. Thomson subsequently pursued a prominent career in Scottish education, serving as Rector of several schools including Larkhall Academy, and was also an author and advocate of Scottish national interests. A founding member and later President of the Scottish Patriotic Association, he is best remembered for his substantial two-volume historical work Scotland's Work and Worth (1909-10). His identity and academic record have been confirmed from the matriculation, prize and General Council records held by the University of Glasgow Archives & Special Collections.
Q. Horatii Flacci Opera; Illustrated from Antique Gems by C.W. King, M.A. The Text Revised, with an Introduction by H.A.J. Munro, M.A. (both Fellows of Trinity College Cambridge).
Published by Bell and Daldy, Covent Garden, London, 1869. First edition. Printed by The Chiswick Press, London.
A very good (plus) full calf leather hardback with gilt Glasgow University roundel to front and top compartment of spine. With gilt and blind stamped borders to covers and elaborate gilt tooling to spine. Raised bands and gilt morocco title label. Some light scuffing and shelf wear to leather and wear to spine. Soundly bound.
With marbled endpapers and matching marbled text block edges. A University prize presentation label to the front pastedown records the award to Carolus W. Thomson in the Latin class in 1893, and is personally signed "G.G. Ramsay L.H.P." by George Gilbert Ramsay, Professor of Humanity at the University of Glasgow.
The text is bright and clear throughout, with just a few light spots to endpapers and occasional scattered mark. A few marginal pencil annotations to text. The engraved gems illustrations used throughout are drawn at double their actual size, and at the rear of the volume are full details about each one, and their source.
A most attractive volume.
Text in English and Latin.
xxxiv + 456pp.
Dimensions: approximately 228mm high x 160mm wide x 36mm deep.
Weight: Approximately 1020g (unpacked).