- 88
Maffei, Giovanni Pietro
Estimate
2,500 - 3,500 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Historiarum indicarum libri XVI. Selectarum item ex India epistolarum eodem interprete libri IV. Accessit Ignatii Loiolae vita postremo recognita. Florence: Filippo Giunta, 1588
- Paper
FIRST EDITION, folio (315 x 208mm.), woodcut device on title, woodcut historiated initials and decorations, old vellum with brown lettering to spine, light spotting, some leaves browned
Provenance
Gift to an unknown recipient by Callisto Marini, Cardinal Archivist of the Vatican Secret Archives (1782-1822), inscription on free front endpaper, dated 10 June 1808; bought at the sale of the bookseller Luigi Sacondi (?) by Canonico Catervo Serrani of Tolentino, Rome, 7 January 1864
Literature
Löwendahl 24; Sabin 43769; Western Travellers in China 11
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate. Small repair to corner of title-page and following leaf, scattered pen notes, damp stains to K3-K5, tear to 2A6
"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."
Catalogue Note
An important account by the humanist Giovanni Pietro Maffei (c. 1533-1603) of Portuguese discoveries and missionary work in China, Japan, India, the East Indies, Persia, Brazil and other parts of America. His work is divided into 16 books, where book VI deals specifically with China and features what is apparently the first description of tea by a European author.