PBA Galleries

*4, **10, A-Y8, Z4. L3 missigned K3. [14], 179, [1] leaves. Printer's device on title and colophon verso, historiated initials. (4to) 8¾x6, full morocco gilt, spine gilt in compartments, all edges gilt. First Edition in Italian.

First vernacular edition of Bembo's posthumously published history of Venice, printed the year after Aldus's Latin first. Bembo (1470-1547) accepted the office of historiographer of the Venetian Republic in 1529. The period of history that he covers is a very exciting one and included Venice's part in the discovery of the New World. Columbus is one of the explorers mentioned in Book Six. This is a lovely edition by one of the most important Italian Renaissance scholars. Provenance: several early ownership signatures on title, including those of Giacomo Paston and Jo. Cradock - British Museum (a few early inkstamps) - Sir W.J. Trevelyan, Bart. (inkstamps to endpapers).