Lot 43
  • 43

Del Bene, Bartolommeo

Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
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Description

  • Del Bene, Bartolommeo
  • Civitas veri sive morum. Paris: Ambroise and Jerome Drouart, 1609
  • Paper
folio (343 x 214mm.), engraved title-page by Thomas Deleu, woodcut initials and head- and tailpieces, engraved illustrations (one double-page), contemporary half vellum with new marbled paper covers, brown morocco lettering-piece on spine, early manuscript notes about the book in French opposite title-page

Literature

French Emblem Books F.212; Landwehr, Romanic Emblem Books 255; Praz, p.46

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

FIRST EDITION. This utopian Latin poem was written in 1585 by the diplomat and poet Bartolommeo del Bene, and only published in 1609 by his son Alfonso, the bishop of Albi, with a commentary by Théodore Marcile. It describes a moral itinerary over thirty days in the manner of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, with illustrations depicting different parts of the city.

"Ouvrage moral et allegorique tres mediocre en luy meme - mais les gravures sont de Thomas de Lew bon graveur flamand" (early manuscript note opposite title-page).