HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY ITALY

Giovio, Paolo: Historiarum sui temporis tomus primus [-secundus]. Venetiis [Venice] apud Cominum de Tridino Montisferrati 1553 (colophon of vol. I dated 1554).

One of three editions from 1553, the work being first issued in 1550-2. This 'History of His Own Times' is the most famous work of the sometime bishop of Nocera Paolo Giovio (1483-1552), and covers Italy from the invasion of Charles VIII to 1547. Giovio, a courtier of Cardinal Giulio de' Medici (later Pope Clement VII), published this work from retirement on the shores of Como, where he built an art gallery and museum.

Details

2 vols., 8vo., fols. [8] 415; pp. 680 [40]. Vol. 2 with final blank. Woodcut portraits of author to title-page. a touch of worming to first few leaves of first vol., occasional browning, a touch of soiling, bound in 18-cent. gilt-ruled quarter vellum, and wood-pattern paper boards, wear to sides, orange morocco gilt labels (peeling). Early lettering of author and title on bottom edge. Small early ecclesiastical stamps.

CNCE 21188. This edition in Adams.