Die Cynthia des Properz

Birt, Theodor. Die Cynthia des Properz. Leipzig: Quelle & Meyer, ND [1922]. First edition. Quarto. [12], 131, [1]pp. Original half cloth over gilt-stamped paper covered boards, with gold lettering on front cover. Tipped-in frontispiece. Decorative title page in red and black lettering. Remarkable work on the woman who inspired Propertius. Sextus Propertius was a Latin elegiac poet of the Augustan age. After his father’s death, Propertius’ mother set him on course for a public career. He moved among the children of the rich and politically connected during the early part of the 20’s decade. It was during this time that he met Cynthia, the older woman who would inspire him to express his poetic genius. Propertius published a first book of love elegies in 25 BCE, with Cynthia herself as the main theme; the book’s complete devotion gave it the natural title Cynthia Monobiblos. This work, illustrated with 8 tipped-in b/w photographic reproductions, sheds a new light on Cynthia, and contains 12 poems. Spine and edges of binding faded. Moderate rubbing along edges. Previous owner’s name on free front endpaper. Text in German. Binding in overall fair to good-, interior in very good condition. g. Hardcover. (34174) $45