Shakespeare--Giraldi Cinthio, Giovanni Battista

2 volumes, 8vo (173 x 100mm.), woodcut printer's device on title-pages (volume 1 with duplicate title-page), woodcut portrait of the author of verso of titles, with 6 additional printed leaves containing Gioannini's Life of Giraldi extracted from the 1593 edition (Censimento 16 CNCE 21288) bound in the preliminaries to volume 1, with a duplicate of leaf Dd8 in volume 2 with manuscript addition "Historia d'Anna Bolena d'Inghilterra e d'Henrico ottavo" and of Mm1, with index and errata at end of volume 2, nineteenth-century brown-painted vellum-backed boards, red morocco lettering-pieces, both title-pages of volume 1 repaired with some text replaced in manuscript, the first laid down but showing portrait on verso, first quire and preface to fifth deca of volume 1 repaired in gutter, joints cracking

Jo. Bapt. Nasi, inscription on first title-page; William Horatio Crawford, Lakelands, Cork, armorial bookplates, his sale in these rooms, 13 March 1891, lot 1364 (described as half vellum, with the Life by Gioannini, and as lacking pp.1-217 in volume 2 which have been replaced with "Dialogo della vita Civile", but this is how the book should be and it is not incomplete)

Censimento 16 CNCE 21271

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."

First edition of Giraldi's collection of tales, arranged in the manner of Boccaccio's Decamerone. This is the only edition to arrange the stories according to the author's plan. Giraldi (1504-1573) had worked for the Este of Ferrara, but moved to Mondoví (Piemonte) on losing his position. Giraldi's collection of tales was a source for many writers, particularly English dramatists - the seventh novella of the third day, "Un capitano moro", is acknowledged as Shakespeare's source for Othello, and the plot of Measure for Measure is also taken from Giraldi (the fifth novella of the eighth day).