Cellini, Vita, Cologne [Naples], 1728, contemporary carta rustica, uncut

Cellini, Benvenuto. Vita di Benvenuto Cellini orefice e scultore fiorentino, da lui medesimo scritta, nella quale molte curiose particolarità si toccano appartenenti alle Arti ed all'Istoria del suo tempo, tratta da un' ottimo manoscritto, e dedicata all'eccellenza di mylord Riccardo Boyle, Conte di Burlington. Cologne [i.e. Naples or Florence]: "Pietro Martello", 1728 [1731?]

First edition of Cellini's colourful autobiography, written in around 1558-1562 on his release from prison, when he also took minor orders. Written in the wake of Vasari's successful biographies of artists (see lots 631 and 634), Cellini sought to determine his own artistic importance and reputation as well as elevate the artist from the position of a mere craftsman. 

The text was only published long after Cellini's death, under a well-used fictitious imprint, though the manuscript source of this edition is not known. The publication was financed by Gaetano Berenstadt, a well-travelled castrato singer and bibliophile, with a preface by Antonio Cocchi written under a pseudonym. It has been suggested that this book was actually printed in Florence in 1731, as there are no references to it before that date. The manuscript used for subsequent editions, which seems to be a fair copy destined for the printer, was only found in the early nineteenth century and is now in the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence.

This copy accords with ICCU/PARE/025062. There was also a reprint issued in Florence in 1792, with signature b⁴ instead of [paraph]⁴ and a portrait.

4to (277 x 220 mm). Roman type, 42 lines plus headline, uncut. collation: *⁴ [paraph]⁴ A-Rr⁴: 168 leaves (Rr4 blank). Title printed in red and black with woodcut vignette, woodcut initials. (Somewhat foxed throughout.)

binding: Contemporary carta rustica (293 x 229 mm). (Binding somewhat worn, joints torn and spine slightly defective.)

provenance: Marie Peary Stafford (1893-1978), bookplate. acquisition: Purchased in 1989 from Leona Rostenberg, New York.