SIMEONI (Gabriele). The Illustrious Ancient Observations of - Lot 75

SIMEONI (Gabriele). The Illustrious Ancient Observations of Lord Gabriel Symeon, a Florentine, During His Last Journey Through Italy in the Year 1557. Lyon, Jean de Tournes, 1558. Small quarto, cherry-colored half-calf, spine decorated with gold fillets (19th-century binding). First edition. (Cartier, no. 420; Brun, p. 294.) This work, beautifully printed and with a remarkable layout, is illustrated with a stunning architectural cartouche featuring the author’s portrait on the title page, an elegant banner depicting the triumph of Diana, some fifty woodcuts reproducing ancient stelae, inscriptions, medals, and statues, and 12 woodcuts depicting the signs of the zodiac. Some of the vignettes, by Bernard Salomon, are of great merit, particularly the Fountain of Vaucluse, the Fountain of Anet, and the Metamorphosis of Actaeon. Antique handwritten bookplates on the title page, including one, “Billet Defanière,” dated 1706. Engraved bookplate by A. Bérard (19th century). A gallery of wormholes in the lower margin of the last 13 leaves, without damage to the text; small, scattered wormholes throughout the text; the last blank leaf is missing. A large, faint water stain on a few leaves.

Estimate:£500.79

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