Guidi, Giovanni.

Estimate

1,500 - 2,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

De mineralibus tractatus in genere... libri quatuor; In quorum I. agitur De metallariis. De artificibus metallorum. De alchemistis. In II. De metallis. De auro, & argento. De gemmis. De ferro, & armis. De salinis. In III. De moneta. De thesauris. De rebus aureis, & argenteis. De ornamentis. De vestibus auratis. In IIII. De publica utilitate. De privata utilitate... Venice: Tomasso Baglioni, 1625

first edition, 4to (220 x 155mm.), title printed in red and black with armorial woodcut device, contemporary limp vellum, some marginal spotting

Literature

Duveen, p.273; Ferguson I:354; Roller and Goodman I:492; Sinkankas 2608

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

a rare treatise on minerals, metals, gems and gemstones. "That mineralogy had made little advance during the previous hundred years might be inferred from the fact that Giovanni Guidi of Volterra in 1625 dedicated to Ferdinand II, grandduke of Tuscany, and published at Venice a treatise De mineralibus by one of his ancestors who lived from 1464 to 1530, and that there was another printing of this book in 1627. Such an inference, however, would not be quite justified, since Guidi was a jurisconsult and the volume is chiefly concerned with legal questions concerning alchemists, gems, and so forth" (Thorndike VII p. 252). Guidi also includes commentary of his own, and there is much information on the working practices of silver- and goldsmiths, gem merchants, cutters and polishers, etc.

"The section on gems referred to by Thorndike appears on pages 64-73, and as in the other portions of the work, consists of a series of questions raised by Guidi and answered by quotations or statements taken from other authorities, among them Pliny, Isidore of Seville, the Bible, etc. The questions on gems are general and jump from topic to topic with little solid information divulged. Questions on pearls are included. More on gems appears in the section entitled 'De Ornamentis', pp.17-80" (Sinkankas).