- 135
Mitelli, Giuseppe Maria
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description
- Mitelli, Giuseppe Maria
- Di Bologna, l'arti per via d'Annibal Caraci, disegnate, intagliate, et offerte al grande, et alto Nettuno Gigante sig. della Piazza di Bologna. Rome: G.G. Rossi, 1660
- Paper
folio (417 x 272mm.), engraved title-page and 40 engraved plates, numbered 1-41, manuscript translation of the title-page into English opposite title-page, manuscript captions translating the engraved captions into English at foot of each plate, contemporary calf with triple gilt fillet border and corner fleurons, spine gilt in compartments, gilt edges, first few leaves repaired in gutter, extremities rubbed, joints repaired, spine worn
The former owner William Huggins (bap. 1696-1761), a friend of Hogarth and Smollett, wrote librettos and translated works of Italian literature. He is known, from a letter of Hogarth's, to have written the first complete translation into English of Dante's Commedia, though the manuscript went missing after his death; only 21 lines (Purgatorio XI, 1-21) had been published before his death, in the British Magazine in 1760. Hogarth designed a portrait of Huggins to be included in the proposed book, which showed Huggins with a bust of Ariosto in the background and the titles of Dante's three cantiche to one side. Here we have some more examples of his work as a translator of Italian, in the captions to Mitelli's fine engravings.
There was a sale of Huggins's library (as well as that of his son-in-law, Thomas Gatehouse) held in Guildford by John Russell in around 1775 (Munby & Coral p.73), but there are no Italian books in the catalogue. Huggins's father John, a warden of the Fleet Prison, had purchased Sir Isaac Newton's library and bequeathed it to his other son Charles.
The former owner William Huggins (bap. 1696-1761), a friend of Hogarth and Smollett, wrote librettos and translated works of Italian literature. He is known, from a letter of Hogarth's, to have written the first complete translation into English of Dante's Commedia, though the manuscript went missing after his death; only 21 lines (Purgatorio XI, 1-21) had been published before his death, in the British Magazine in 1760. Hogarth designed a portrait of Huggins to be included in the proposed book, which showed Huggins with a bust of Ariosto in the background and the titles of Dante's three cantiche to one side. Here we have some more examples of his work as a translator of Italian, in the captions to Mitelli's fine engravings.
There was a sale of Huggins's library (as well as that of his son-in-law, Thomas Gatehouse) held in Guildford by John Russell in around 1775 (Munby & Coral p.73), but there are no Italian books in the catalogue. Huggins's father John, a warden of the Fleet Prison, had purchased Sir Isaac Newton's library and bequeathed it to his other son Charles.
Provenance
Pepoli, of Bologna, armorial bookplate; William Huggins of Heath House, Hampshire, armorial bookplate; C.E. Rappaport, Rome, bookseller's label
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."
"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."