Antoninus Florentinus

Mezzo-median folio (245 x 180mm.), 128 leaves, [a-b¹⁰ c¹² d-m¹⁰ n⁶], double column, 35 lines, roman type, first page illuminated with a portrait of St Antoninus in the initial, an outer border of laurel leaves, armorial of the counts of Piovena within a laurel leaf at foot of page, 2- to 4-line initials in red or blue with printed guides, a few annotations in English, eighteenth-century calf, spine gilt in compartments, illumination slightly rubbed, occasional damp-staining, g10 with hole in margin, last leaf repaired at upper corner, binding worn

Counts of Piovena (Vicenza), arms on first leaf; Vicenza, Franciscan monastery of San Biagio (closed in 1797 and its goods dispersed by the French), inscription at end; Duke of Sussex, armorial bookplate, sale, Evans, 1844-1845 (this work not found in the catalogue); John Fuller Russell, sale, Sotheby's, 26 June 1885, lot 39; "£2-8-0 from the Russell Library", inscription on inside front cover; William O'Brien, bequest bookplate dated 1899

Goff A797; H 1176; BMC v 208; BSB-Ink A-575; Bod-inc A-325; GW 2103; Grosjean & O'Connell 4

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."

Bartholomaeus Cremonensis, a typecutter as well as a printer, was active from 1472 to 1474, producing just eight or nine titles. In his verse colophon he claims to surpass Phidias's ivory in his typecutting.

The inhabited initial with St Antoninus is very similar in style to those executed by Leonardo Bellini (nephew of Jacopo Bellini) who was a prominent miniaturist in Venice in the years 1460-1480 (see P. Palladino, Treasures of a Lost Art, 2003, pp.76-77, an inhabitied initial of Vergil in a printed work, c. 1476).