Apian, Inscriptiones sacrosanctae vetustatis, Ingolstadt, 1534, folio, later calf with interlacing strapwork

Peter Apian

Inscriptiones sacrosanctae vetustatis non illae quidem Romanae, sed totius fere orbis incipiunt. Ingolstadt: Peter Apian, 1534

folio (308 x 203mm.), title printed in red and black with a woodcut vignette, large woodcut armorial of Raymund Fugger on Aa2, woodcut initials, borders and illustrations, woodcut printer's device on final verso (otherwise blank), ss2-3 transposed, modern leather binding (initialled CM) with a painted interlaced design on upper cover, red fabric endleaves, early longitudinal foredge title, title-page slightly stained and repaired in gutter, printed text on Bb2 (by Melanchthon) crossed through, some defacing of woodcuts depicting nude statues (sometimes with slight paper damage), neatly rebacked, upper joint slightly split at head

This elegantly executed work, commissioned by Apian's patron, the banker Raymund Fugger, draws together a selection of antique inscriptions from all over Europe, based on the Fugger family's own extensive collection of antiquities.

LITERATURE

VD16 A 3086

PROVENANCE

Biblioteca episcopal, Cordova, inscription on title-page; Jesuit College of Cordova, inscription and ink stamp on title-page