Medici, Poesie volgari, Venice, Sons of Aldo, 1554, red French morocco by Derome le Jeune, from the libraries of Waldstein and Seligman

Medici, Lorenzo de'. Poesie volgari, nuouamente stampate, di Lorenzo de' Medici, che fu padre di papa Leone: col commento del medesimo sopra alcuni de' suoi sonetti. Venice: Sons of Aldo Manuzio, 1554

First edition of the poems and poetic commentary of Lorenzo de’ Medici, some of which were written as early as age 17. The sonnets, sestinas, and songs are almost entirely preoccupied with love for beautiful women, in a style both imaginative and lively that echoes the lyricism of Dante and Petrarch. In his “Comment” on the poems, Lorenzo expounds on life, love, his philosophical influences, and even current events that inspired him. For instance, he describes the death of Simonetta Vespucci, “la bella Simonetta” (his own nickname for the model for Botticelli’s Venus), and its influence over his work. Indeed, throughout Florence her early demise produced sadness and "a most ardent longing for her. And, therefore, she was taken uncovered from her house to the burial place, and moved all who crowded around to see her to copious tears." Poems composed later in life are also included in the volume, many of which are of a more serious and religious nature, including poems on the Virgin Mary, and the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ.

8vo (160 x 95 mm). Italic type, 29 lines plus headline. collation: A-Z⁸ AA-CC⁸ (Lacking O5-8, as Edit16 records: "Var. B: il fascicolo O ha 8 carte invece che 4." The four leaves are supplied in eighteenth-century manuscript at end.): 208 leaves, foliated. Woodcut Aldine device on title-page and verso of final leaf, woodcut initials. (Scattered foxing.)

binding: French red morocco (165 x 105 mm), bound by Derome le Jeune (fl. 1761-1788), three gilt fillets around sides, spine with raised bands in six compartments, second and third gilt-lettered, others with repeat floral ornaments, edges gilt, marbled endpapers. (Some rubbing to bands.)

provenance: Sir Charles Waldstein (Walston) (1856-1927), "Newton Hall, Cambridge(shire), ex libris to front pastedown — Théodore Seligman, his sale, Sotheby's London, 30 April-3 May 1951, lot 16 — Maggs Bros., London, purchased in previous sale — Adrian Leigh McLaughlin (1910-1979), ex libris to lower pastedown; his sale, Sotheby's Monte Carlo, 7-8 October 1980, lot 1823. acquisition: Purchased from Leona Rostenberg, New York, 1984. references: UCLA 473; Renouard 162/23; Edit16 27192; USTC 841834