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PALATINO (Giovanni Battista). Libro di M. Giovam Battista Pa…
See original version (French)
PALATINO (Giovanni Battista). Libro di M. Giovam Battista Pa…
See original version (French)
Lot no. 55
PALATINO (Giovanni Battista).
Libro di M. Giovam Battista Palatino cittadino romano, Nelqual s'insegna à Scriuer ogni sorte lettera, Antica, & Moderna, di qualunque natione, con le sue, regole, & misure, & essempi : et con vn breve, et vtil discorso de le cifre : Riueduto nuouamente, & corretto dal proprio Autore. Con la giunta di quindici tavole bellissime.
[Rome: Valerio Dorico for Giovanni Della Gatta, 1561]. - In-4, 199 x 140 : (64 ff. last blank). Stiff parchment, smooth spine (18th or 19th century binding).
A rare new edition of this treatise on calligraphy by the Italian master-calligrapher Giovanni Battista Palatino (1515-1575). Published during the author's lifetime, it follows the definitive edition of 1545.
This is the most famous and successful treatise on Renaissance writing and calligraphic models, first published in 1540, in which the author teaches how to write all kinds of letters, ancient and modern, from every nation, with its rules, measures and examples. Within four years, there were already five editions, a sign of unprecedented publishing success that continued throughout the 16th century. In 1545, the definitive edition was published by Antonio Blado.
The author gives pride of place to archaic and picturesque alphabets, to strange and unusual letters rich in ornamental motifs, and to graphic forms with a calculated aesthetic effect, concluding the treatise with whole pages of figures and curious "figurative sonnets" or "rebus sonnets". The work concludes with a chapter on the instruments needed by any good calligrapher, and how to use them.
The edition includes a woodcut portrait of the author on the title, a full-page engraving of writing implements, and several models of writing and alphabets, some printed in white on black. Folio H7v contains a fine oval engraving of a lit candle with a butterfly on its flame. In the frame is a line from a poem by Petrarch: "Et so ben ch'i' vo dietro a quel che m'arde".
An interesting copy from the library of the English mathematician John Blagrave, who died in 1611, with an autograph note on the title: "Johannis Blagravi & amicorum liber. Anno salutis 1580. On folio H2r, there is a note in Latin in the lower margin by the same hand, concerning the unit of measurement of the sextarius in an ink recipe.
The work was subsequently acquired by the English master typographer and publisher Stanley Morison (1889-1967), whose name and address at 11 Hollyberry Lane are inscribed in pencil on the third white endpaper, in beautiful calligraphy. Morison is best known for creating the famous 'Times' typeface for The Times newspaper. Devoted to typography throughout his life, he continued to publish tirelessly and in 1960 was awarded the title of Royal Designer for Industry, a distinction awarded by the Royal Society of Arts for individuals who have succeeded in "combining a high standard of aesthetics with successful design for industry". Attached is an autograph letter of two pages in-4, written by Morison on 12 September 1964, about this copy and in particular about Blagrave.
A good copy in a later binding, 18th or 19th century. A note in ink at the top of the last endpaper reads: "Amst. Sept. 1827. d. H. 3 flor. This may be a date of purchase as well as the date and price of the binding.
The binding is soiled, and there are wormholes in the inner margins of several leaves, but neither the text nor the engravings have been affected. The last blank leaf has been glued to the endpaper.
Provenance: John Blagrave. - Sale Catalogue of the curious and interesting library of the late Rev. R. S. Bayley... also of duplicates from a public library ; and another library, London, 24 March 1860, n° 543. - Stanley Morison.
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