Possevino, Antonio

2 volumes in one, folio (298 x 190mm.), engraved title-page with a view of Cologne at foot, second title-page with woodcut Jesuit device, contemporary English calf for Henry, Prince of Wales, with central arms of England (BAB stamp 1) and a crowned lion rampant passant in each corner (BAB stamp 7), spine with a small gilt stamp of a crown and a rose in alternate compartments, and the initials "J.R." at foot (i.e. Jacobus Rex?), black morocco lettering-piece, edges decorated to a leopard-print pattern, occasional light foxing or browning, paper flaw in Rr6 with slight loss, binding rebacked and worn at corners, lacking both pairs of ties

Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales (1594-1612), arms on binding; British Museum, stamp and duplicate stamp dated 1818; Joseph William Moss (1803-1862), inscription on inside front cover (for another book belonging to him, see the Mendham sale, 5 June 2013, lot 6); The Law Society, armorial bookplate

Mendham P225; VD17 1:044378L & 1:044400K

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."

This Jesuit compendium of books and learning, aimed to support the Jesuit educational system, was first published in 1593. It formed a Counter-Reformation response to the Protestant Conrad Gesner's bibliographical encyclopaedia, the Bibliotheca universalis, compiled in the 1540s and subsequently placed on the Index of Prohibited Books; Possevino's work was deliberately conservative and adhered to the restrictions of the Index.