Vitruvius iterum et Frontinus a Iocundo revisi, Florence, 1513, later vellum

VITRUVIUS POLLIO, MARCUS

[De architectura; Frontinus. De aquaeductibus] Vitruvius iterum et Frontinus a Iocundo revisi repurgatique quantum ex collatione licuit. Florence: Filippo Giunta, October 1513

8vo (165 x 95mm.), title within woodcut border, woodcut initials and illustrations, woodcut printer's device on final verso, later vellum with morocco lettering-piece, occasional light staining, lettering-piece chipped

The first small format edition of Vitruvius. The text as prepared by Giovanni Giocondo of Verona was first published in Venice in 1511, and the woodcuts for this 1513 Giunta version are smaller copies of the 1511 blocks. Giocondo was himself an architect and engineer who worked on the new St Peter's in Rome after the death of Bramante.

Book ten includes the description of a catapult, and there is a final lengthy index of the technical terms used in the text.

LITERATURE:

BAL RIBA 3492; Edit16 28727; Sander 7695

PROVENANCE:

Antonius Maria Tetonus, early inscription on A1; C.R. and J.E. Ashbee, morocco booklabel; bought for £5-5s