Sabellicus, Decades rerum Venetarum, Venice, 1487, modern half calf

Marcus Antonius Sabellicus

Decades rerum Venetarum. Venice: Andreas Torresanus, de Asula, 21 May 1487

Royal folio (412 x 261mm.), 240 leaves, [†⁶] a⁸ b–h⁶ i-k⁸ l–y⁶ A–H⁶ I–M⁸ N¹⁰ O⁴ [*²], 48 lines plus headline, roman type (the final two leaves in a different, gothic, type), modern half morocco over older mottled paper boards, new endleaves, first leaf repaired at lower corner, occasional very light foxing or stainng, extremities slightly rubbed

A large and crisp copy of the first edition of Sabellico’s history of Venice. Modelled on Livy's history "from the founding of the city", Sabellico sought to demonstrate the importance of Venice's position in the world. The privilege granted to him in 1486 by the Venetian Senate is considered one of the earliest authorial privileges.

LITERATURE:

ISTC is00005000