Montanus, Marcus, Archbishop of Rhodes.

chancery 4to (209 x 139mm.), 4 leaves, 34 lines, heading on (otherwise blank) first and last pages, nineteenth-century calf, covers with arms of Marchese Dusmet at centre within ornamental gilt borders, slightly spotted, binding chipped at edges, spine chipped at head and foot, joints slightly worn

Marchese Dusmet, armorial binding and bookplate

Goff M825; Reichling 266; IGI IV p. 115; GW M25312. For the press assignment see Francesco Barberi, "Le edizioni romane di Francesco Minizio Calvo," in Miscellanea di scritti ... in memoria di Luigi Ferrari (1952), 57-98, no. 51.

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."

Delivered by the Archbishop of Rhodes, Marcus Montanus, before the pope in Rome on 10 March 1493, this speech affirmed the loyalty of the Knights of Rhodes to Pope Alexander VI. Rhodes became a particular target of Mehmet II after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, largely because of the Order's successful efforts to sabotage Ottoman shipping. Mehmet II's assault on the island in 1480 failed and it was only in 1522 that Suleiman the Magnificent succeeded in forcing the Order's surrender after a long siege by his grand armada. The Knights were allowed to retire to Malta, their final headquarters.