Peri, Giovanni Domenico

4to (217 x 167mm.), engraved title-page, engraved portrait of the author, both by Jacques Callot, woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, woodcut printer's device on final leaf, contemporary vellum, a few small stains, binding slightly soiled

FIRST EDITION of Peri's epic poem on the founding of Florence in Roman times. Peri (1564-1639), from Siena, was known as the peasants' poet ("il poeta contadino") but he was also connected with the literary and musical circles active in Florence at the time; he recited some verses of this work in front of Cosimo II. Callot worked for the Medici in Florence until the death of Cosimo in 1621.