David Attenborough describes the 1515 Aldine edition of Lucretius as one of his “most precious books.”

David Attenborough describes the 1515 Aldine edition of Lucretius as one of his “most precious books.”

In his commentary on this edition, he highlights several specific aspects:

• The Publisher: He identifies the printer, Aldus Manutius, as a Venetian who pioneered a publishing style he likens to the “equivalent of Penguin in paperbacks” for his time.
• The Format: Attenborough notes that Manutius published most great classical authors in this “small book” format.
• The Typography: He specifically praises the aesthetic of the volume, describing it as being printed in a “wonderfully elegant italic script typeface.”

This edition is part of the broader Aldine Collection, and technical details from other sources indicate it is a 266-page Latin text measuring approximately 91 x 160 mm.