Heading: (Sangorski, Francis & George Sutcliffe, illuminators)
Author: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Title: Selections from Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Place Published: London
Publisher:F. Sangorski & G. Sutcliffe
Date Published: 1909
Description:

12 vellum leaves, [2], xix. [2] pp. Calligraphed in black ink & illuminated in gilt & colors by Francis Sangorski & George Sutcliffe. 27.7x21 cm (11x8¼"), bound in full brown levant morocco stamped in gilt with the arms of Marlborough/Churchill ("Fiel pero Desdichado"), spine lettered in gilt, raised bands, elaborate gilt-tooled morocco doublures, moiré silk endleaves, all edges gilt, marbled boards slipcase with morocco trim; bound by Vermorel.

Exquisite illuminated manuscript of select meditations of Roman emperor/philosopher Marcus Aurelius, with the colophon reading "This book of 'Selections from Marcus Aurelius Antoninus', has been written out, designed, illuminated and bound by F. Sangorski & G. Sutcliffe. London, 1909." The present copy is not bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe, however, but by the French firm of Vermorel, so stamped in gilt at the bottom of the front doublure, evidently for a member of the esteemed Churchill family. The illumination of the manuscript in dimpled liquid gold and colors is superb, from the elaborate title leaf and preliminary homily, through the masterful two-column text, with numerous initials in gold, colors or both. ;

The slipcase is broken and in need of repair; volume with a bit of rubbing to spine ends and ribs, several light soil or fox spots to covers; small marginal stains to a few leaves, title leaf with 3" separation along gutter but no loss; near fine condition.