Berrettini, Pietro [Pietro da Cortona]

folio (436 x 297mm.), title printed in red and black, engraved vignette on title-page, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, 27 engraved plates, contemporary cat's-paw calf, spine gilt in compartments, a few small marginal wormholes, some slight browning, binding slightly worn

Libreria Antiquaria Mediolanum, label

Choulant-Frank p.238; Eimas 470; Wellcome II, 146

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. Pietro Berrettini (1596-1669) prepared these anatomical drawings c. 1618 and they were engraved shortly after by Luca Ciamberlano, a contemporary of Pietro's, but not published until more than a century later. While the plates are certainly of artistic and anatomical merit, the commentary by Petrioli "has little anatomic value" (Choulant, p.238).