[Pickering's Diamond Classics.] Quintus Horatius Flaccus.

A bibliographical landmark: the first issue of the first volume in Pickering's series of 'Diamond Classics' 32mo: [ii] + 185 + [i] + [i]. Engraved frontispiece portrait of 'Horace' by R. Grave, facing engraved titlepage, which precedes the letterpress titlepage. On the reverse of the leaf with p.185 on its recto is a portrait of Sir Francis Bacon, captioned 'Advancement of Learning.' On the page facing this are the 'Corrigenda.' Tight copy, on aged paper, with a few dogeared pages, in contemporary black russia binding with boards and spine ornamented in gilt and title 'HORATIUS'. Discoloured rust-coloured endpapers. All edges faded gilt. Pencil note to flyleaf by 'E. B. C.' (who notes that he paid £15 10s 10d for it): 'This is the rarer and earlier issue with a portrait instead of a Front after Stothard which is contained in the later issue of 1824. | This copy has the page of corrigenda at end, often missing.'