The Commentaries, Translated into English.: To which is prefixed a Discourse concerning The Roman Art of War. By William Duncan, Professor of Philosophy in the University of Aberdeen. Illustrated with Cuts.

London: Printed for J. and R. Tonson and S. Draper, and R. Dodsley,, 1753. The grandest English Caesar First Duncan edition, one of the finest editions of Caesar's Commentaries, and perhaps the greatest edition published in the English language - large, elegantly printed, and magnificently illustrated. Duncan's translation was based on Samuel Clarke's Latin edition of 1712 and replicates the same plates. These illustrations led Clarke's edition to be commended by Joseph Addison as "one of the most beautiful books ever published in England" (Spectator, number 367). Most usually noted are the "Bull" and the spectacular "Battle with the Elephants" plates, but no less noteworthy are the battle plans, the nine double-page illustrations which comprise the view of Caesar's triumphal procession, or the typological series of the costume and customs of the enemies of Rome. Its engraved images of ancient British warriors, with elaborately painted bodies, and of Druidical priests and cultic practices like the giant Wicker Man, have entered the popular imagination and have been influential in shaping a British sense of historical identity. Folio (420 x 260 mm). Contemporary calf, rebacked and recornered with the original spine laid down, later green morocco label and marbled endpapers. With engraved frontispiece portrait of Caesar, 6 double-page maps, 78 plans and plates (most double-page, many folding); this copy including the famed double-page bull plate, often removed. Scattered very light foxing, else fresh, a few very discreet repairs to plates ("Bull" plate with small chip restored in pen facsimile, small chip remaining at foot of "Battle with the Elephants"). An excellent copy. ESTC T136453; Lowndes I, p. 346.