[Rarebooks] FS: Signed Theodor Mommsen

[Allington Books]

*Offered*: *Theodor Mommsen: Rare Signed copy of Oskische Studien [Oscan
Studies] *

*Mommsen, Theodor*. *Oskische Studien* [ *Unterzeichnet / Signed*] [Oscan
Studies, Signed] together with Nachträge Zu Den Oskische Studien
[Supplements to the Oscan Studies]. Berlin : Nicolschen Buchlandlung ,
1845, 1846. First edition. A Very Good copy of the first edition, first
printing, of Mommsen's "Oskische Studien" ["Oscan Studies" ---1845] bound
together with the first edition, first printing, of his "Nachträge Zu Den
Oskische Studien" ["Supplements to the Oscan Studies" --- 1846] bound in
comtemporary red cloth (modest edge wear, some toning and spotting to
leaves, faint tide mark to bottom margin of pp. 19-50 and pp. 65-116 of
"Oskische Studien", and intermittently to the bottom margin of several
pages of "Nachträge Zu Den Oskische Studien" --- not affecting text in
either Volume), SIGNED BY THEODOR MOMMSEN on the title page to "Oskische
Studien". The greatest Classicist of the 19th Century, Theodor Mommsen
remains a relevant scholar to this day. His work on Roman History continues
to be used by scholars of ancient history, and his work on the Roman law of
contracts and of torts fundamentally affected Germany's Civil Law code. All
of classical scholar, historian, archaeologist , jurist, journalist,
editor, and politician, Mommsen served in both the Prussian Landtag and the
German Reichstag. "Oskische Studien" is a detailed study of the
inscriptions (on stone tablets, columns, and the like) of the ancient Oscan
language of the Samnites, which Mommsen encountered as he researched and
wrote his monumental work on the Roman Empire.  "Nachträge Zu Den Oskische
Studien", of course, contains information supplemental to Mommsen's
original study. Mommsen was revered by other men, and Mark Twain, after
attending a banquet in Berlin, described such reverence as follows: "When
apparently the last eminent guest had long ago taken his place, again those
three bugle-blasts rang out, and once more the swords leaped from their
scabbards. Who might this late comer be? Nobody was interested to inquire.
Still, indolent eyes were turned toward the distant entrance, and we saw
the silken gleam and the lifted sword of a guard of honor plowing through
the remote crowds. Then we saw that end of the house rising to its feet;
saw it rise abreast the advancing guard all along like a wave. This supreme
honor had been offered to no one before. There was an excited whisper at
our table—'MOMMSEN!'—and the whole house rose. Rose and shouted and stamped
and clapped and banged the beer mugs. Just simply a storm!  Then the little
man with his long hair and Emersonian face edged his way past us and took
his seat. I could have touched him with my hand—Mommsen!—think of it!...I
would have walked a great many miles to get a sight of him, and here he
was, without trouble or tramp or cost of any kind. Here he was clothed in a
titanic deceptive modesty which made him look like other men." Mommsen won
the 1902 Nobel Prize in Literature as, in the judgement of the Nobel
Committee, "the greatest living master of the art of historical writing,
with special reference to his monumental work, A history of Rome" and,
until Doris Lessing received the same Award in 2007, was the oldest-ever to
win the Prize. While letters and postcards from Mommsen occasionally
appear, signed copies of his works are virtually unheard of in today's
market. [A signed copy of his "Romische Geschichte" offered at auction in
2001 sold for $12,925 (plus fees) and has an expected probability of
reappearance of 25+ years.] The rare work offered here belonged to Actor
Jack Palance and has the bookplate from the 2006 sale of his personal
property loosely inserted. AN EXTRAORDINARILY RARE WORK, SIGNED BY THEODOR
MOMMSEN. RARE. Very Good. Hardcover. (#00003128)        $7,500.00



(*20% discount to the list* applied when we process your order --- please
advise in the Notes to your order that you are a list member.)


Here is a link to the listing:
http://www.allingtonbooks.com/shop/allington/results.html

Photographs in addition to that on our site are available on request.

*Payment due with order.*  Orders must be placed on our site at
www.allingtonbooks.com .  *Applicable sales tax will be charged for books
shipped to any address in North Carolina.*

All books are subject to prior sale and to being put on hold for a
potential Buyer's consideration.

Thank you for your consideration.

Best Wishes,

Stephen
Allington Antiquarian Books, LLC

-- 
Stephen Johnson
Allington Antiquarian Books, LLC
Rare and Collectible Books, both Antiquarian and Modern
www.allingtonbooks.com
336-414-0435