4to. (32 including frontispiece),596,(4),96,(24 index) p. Vellum 25 cm (Ref: STCN ppn 844243612; Schweiger 2,355; Brunet 4,798; Graesse 2,574; Ebert 7501; Spoelder p. 491: Amsterdam 10) (Details: Prize copy, without the prize. Back gilt, and with 5 raised bands. On both boards the gilt coat of arms of Amsterdam within 2 gilt borders, which consist of a repetition of floral motifs and the city's coat of arms. Frontispiece, showing the jump of Arion from his ship while playing the lyre, and being watched by the dolphin that would save him; between Arion and the dolphin on a banner 'Trahitur dulcedine cantus'; at the bottom of the plate a portrait of Festus, flanked by sea deities; at the top 2 angels present the coat of arms of the Dauphin, the heir to the throne of France. Title in red & black, and with the engraved coat of arms of the Dauphin) (Condition: Vellum soiled; small hole in the first compartment of the back. Front joint starting to split. Vellum on the upper board slightly damaged. All 4 ties gone. The prize was removed) (Note: Festus is a 2nd century abbreviator of a lexicographic work in 80 books by Marcus Verrius Flaccus, that dates from the first century B.C. § This Festus of 1700 is a revised and augmented edition of a work which appeared previously in the 'Ad usum Delphini' series. It was first published in Paris in 1681, and produced for the education of the Dauphin (in usum Delphini), the young crown prince of France, Louis of France, who was born in 1661 as the eldest son of Louis XIV, King of France. His title was, as the heir apparent to the throne, Dauphin (Delphinus). Since he died before his father, he never became king. Great care was bestowed on the editing and printing of the series. 39 editions of Latin authors, from Cicero to Ausonius, also difficult ones like Manilius and this Festus, were published by leading or promising French scholars. The series was also meant for a broader public (des honnêtes gens) and offered introductions, reliable and readable texts, easy interpretations, and philological, educational and historical notes without too much philological niceties, or textual criticism. The series was a huge success. § The edition of Festus and its accompanying commentary is the starting point of the career of the French classical scholar André Dacier, 1651-1722. He follows the texts proposed by Agustin and Scaliger, and aimed at presenting a clear and educationally useful text. In the preface, also adopted in this edition of 1700, Dacier tells that he wants to present the prince useful information about Roman law, ancient treaties, foundations of power, the royal laws of Rome, etc. Its interest lies in the realia, not in its literary worth. Dacier was the first to publish a readable text of Festus. (See 'La collection Ad usum Delphini', Grenoble, 2000/5, volume 2, p. 263-72) Dacier's Festus was repeated in 1692, and reissued in 1699 and in 1700 with additions of great scholars like Scaliger. Brunet calls this Amsterdam edition 'recherchée') (Collation: pi1, *4 (minus leaf *4), 2*-4*4; A-4X4) (Photographs on request)