Giulio Cesare CROCE

First edition. The original text dates from 1606. The illustration comprises a frontispiece, a title vignette (Bologna behind a she-wolf) and 20 figures as well as 16 vignettes placed at the end of certain cantos depicting the countryside around Bologna, all by Giuseppe Maria Crespi. A folding plate in the annotations. Fine printing. Portrait of Croce at the end of the preliminary pages. One of the major publications of Bologna in the 18th century.
Full vellum binding from the 19th century ca1880. Spine with raised bands decorated with grotesque compartments. 2 black sheep title labels. Gilt fillet frame on boards and corner fleurons. Gilt edges. Slight crack to upper joint at head over...

New edition, illustrated with a frontispiece depicting Bertholde. The engraved title page of the second part is the same as for the first, a small manuscript "1" has been added before "1^re partie".
Full mottled calf binding ca. 1800. Decorated smooth spine. Black morocco title-label. Extremities of corners rubbed. Handsome copy, particularly fresh.
Published at the beginning of the 17^th century, at the end of the author's life, the story of Bertholdo had immense popular success in Italy; it features a deformed dwarf who possesses the highest qualities of mind. The action takes place in the Middle Ages, at the court of Verona, where Bertholde becomes a favorite...

First edition. The original dates from 1606.
Fine printing on quality paper. Illustrated with 20 woodcuts in a popular and rustic style, a medallion portrait and a frontispiece (copperplate).
Half navy glazed calf binding late 19th century, spine with raised bands decorated with 5 fleurons.
The copy, of perfect whiteness, appears to have been washed. Giulio Cesare Croce (1550-1609), born in the province of Bologna, came from a poor family, he studied medicine then launched into a literary career, then died poor. Bertoldino and Cacasenno are two emblematic and extremely popular characters of Italy, they have become types, Bertoldino is a cunning and crafty character, who...