Featured Help ID Antique 1600s books

One of them I know is from the 1609, the other could be from the 18th century. 2 mysteries. Starting with the first one, the binding has always been a curious topic because based on my research this is how a lot of books were once sold, and you would then bring it to a binder, is that correct?
What was the exact topic, and what are the latin letters written on the tail of the book edge (I believe this is the correct term in book anatomy?)?

In addition I have this book Seneca of Benefits, but it is alas missing the title page, what could have been the edition or print year?

 

@Ex Libris

 

True, if I may also tag @Marote , I wonder if you can identify the latin text and its meaning.

 

ok...I'll tag @2manybooks

 

First the book with the title Tractatus de Effectibus et Defectibus Clausulae Codicillaris. It is printed in Torino, Italy in 1609. (Google Books). I cannot see on the photo's if it is a vellum or paper binding. The publishers normally sold the book with a simple paper binding (called a publishers binding). The customer brought the book to a book binder to let it bind to their own taste.

The title on the book seems for us in an unusual place, but that was quite common for early modern books. It was called a fore edge title. This was done because sometimes books were placed on the shelves as we call now backwards.

 

For the Seneca print it is almost impossible to find the right edition, because this book was so common (every student Latin had probably one). Looking at you photo's it seems second half 19th century to me.

 

I believe the fore edge title is

Turret: de Cla: Codi:

 

Based on Google Translate:
A Treatise on the Effects and Defects of the Codicil Clause

No less useful than frequent, and necessary for all those engaged in the forum
Mr Fabio Turretti

U. I. D. PERUSINI [I think this is his title as professor of the university Perugia]

In the most famous public school of his country, the professor, now in the famous Florentine auditorium, for the second time the most worthy listeners

With a very copious index of things and the most memorable words, arranged in an alphabetical series in wonderful order.

AUGUSTA TAURINORUM [Turin]

At Ioannem Dominicum Tarinum [the publisher], 1609

 

Definitely Ex Libris's wheelhouse, as shown.

 

I value your opinion , as well !

 

The only thing I would add is a correction to Ex Libris's use of the term "publishers' binding".

"Broadly defined, publishers’ bindings (also known as edition bindings) are bound books issued in quantity, identical in appearance, and brought to market at the expense of a publisher or distributor. The appearance of the publishers’ binding in the 1820s in Great Britain, and subsequently elsewhere, signaled a significant and enduring change in the way books were produced and sold."
https://cdm.bostonathenaeum.org/digital/collection/p16057coll49

Such publishers' binding are typically what we would call hardcovers.

The Boston Athenaeum article continues -
"Before the introduction of publishers’ bindings, during the period known as the hand-press era (circa 1500-1800), methods of book construction and purchase remained largely unchanged. Booksellers and printers generally sold the textual contents of books unbound, in folded sheets, in intentionally temporary packaging such as paper wrappers. Alternatively, a simple binding of vellum, parchment, or sheepskin might be had for a higher price. The cost of fine bindings during this period would customarily be borne by purchasers, who would contract separately with a bookbinder for a distinctive binding reflective of their taste and wherewithal."

 

Yes I think that's it! What could it mean, a Library directory or discard notice?

 

Those are the author of the book (Turretti) and (a part) of the title:
Clausulae Codicillaris

 

It is the abbreviation of the book's title.

 

Once again thoroughly impressed by the expertise and quick responses!!

 

Ah yes, silly me I should have connected the dots sooner, Thank you very much!!

 

Wrapper, yes that's it. It's of paper, not vellum. Are there many examples that have survived? I usually see bound books of the period, yet again I probably never searched with the proper terminology before.

 

Thank you very much for this!! A much better and clear translation then what I got! Once again a puzzle solved!

 

Indeed, the Seneca book is definitely not second half 19th, but now that I re examine probably early 19th, appears late 18th but the "s" is written as such and not "f". Through your google books method though I was able to find that it is "Seneca's morals, by way of abstract : to which is added a discourse, under the title of An after-thought by Sir Roger L'Estrange, Knight". Just not sure about the print date. Thank you very much for all the historical details and instructions!!

 

Oh that makes sense now, now I understand the attached images. Fascinating, I didn't understand at first since it's on the bottom edge, not side, but it now all makes sense! Thank you very much, very educational!!