For all of you bibliophiles...

[trusty elf]

I recently went to look at Hubertus Goltzius's Opera Omnia, a set of five magnificent folio volumes published in Antwerp by Plantin in the 1640s, which are to be sold at auction later this month.

They deal with Greek and Roman antiquities-coins and medallions specifically.

I was kindly allowed to take some photos, of which a few are posted below. I did the best I could under the circumstances, without a tripod and with no special lighting. Still, you can get an idea of how wonderful these books are. I hope you like them. Sorry about the the vertical alignment-a bit of a nuisance for those who can't simply turn their laptops!

This title page was designed by Rubens











Another title page by Rubens

[Mira]

1. Treasures! Since they would be indescribable, I'm glad you came armed

with visuals.
It's inconceivable that someone will soon be acquiring them, and own them.

Now with the chance to look at this and study the pages of your photos what comes to mind is Oliver Wendell Holmes:
"Man's mind, when stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."

In this case this quote means to me that I got enriched by something utterly beautiful and unexpected.

Thanks!