Gaiani, Arte di maneggiar la spada, Loano, 1619, old vellum

GAIANI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA AND GIOVANNI BOTERO

Two works in one volume, comprising:

i. Gaiani. Arte di maneggiar la spada a piedi, et a cavallo. Loano: Francesco Castello, 1619, woodcut printer's device on title-page and above colophon, woodcut initials and tailpieces

ii. Botero. Saggio dell'opera, de' prencipi e capitani illustri. Venice: Alessandro Vecchi, 1617, woodcut device on title-page, woodcut initials, without final blank

2 works in one volume, 4to (205 x 140mm.), contemporary vellum, blue edges, binding slightly soiled

The first work is an uncommon text on fencing both on foot and when mounted. The second work is an extract from Botero's substantial Le relationi universali. It describes how Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy (1528-1580) displayed all the characteristics one could wish for in a "perfetto capitano". He had served under Charles V against France and under Philip II in the Low Countries. Both the works in this volume are dedicated to Vittorio Amedeo of Savoy.

LITERATURE:

1st work: Cockle 726; USTC 4023611; Vigeant p.62; 2nd work: part of USTC 4022379

PROVENANCE:

United Services Institution, bookplate; purchased from Sotheran's, December 1936