Antiquarenbeurs Mechelen

 
 

Exhibitor

Florisatus Fine Books
Plein 19 C
2511 CS Den Haag
Netherlands

Contact

Edwin & Liesbeth Bloemsaat

Phone

+31 (0) 614 270 027 +31 (0) 614 270 027

Email

finebooks@florisatus.nl

Website

ilab.org/affiliate/florisatus-fine-books-manuscripts-musicalia

Songbirds in all senses masterly depicted
Olina, Giovanni Pietro. Uccelliera overo discurso della natura, e proprieta di diversi uccelli e in particolare di que'che cantano. Con il modo di prendergli, conoscergli, allevargli e mantenergli. E con le figure cautate dal-vero e dili gentem. intagliate dal Tempesta e dal Villamena. In Roma, Angelo de Rossi, 1684. 4to (277 x 205 mm). 5, 77 (recte 73), 6 leaves.

With engraved title page and 66 full page engravings by Antonio Tempesta, Francesco Villamena and J. Maggi.

Red morocco, gold tooled. On the covers a border with fleurons in the corners. Spine with 5 raised bands. Title in compartment 2, the other compartments richly tooled with curly tools. Board edges with a decorative roll. End bands of green and red silk. Comb marbled end leaves. Edges gilt.
Second and according to Schwerdt superior edition (the first appeared in Rome in 1622). The engravings, although identical to those in the first edition are here printed in a clearly superior manner. The book is an adaptation of an earlier publication, Il canto degl? avgelli, by Valli da Todi, printed in Rome in 1601, although Olina does not acknowledge this.

Olina (1585-c. 1645) was an Italian naturalist, lawyer and theologian. He studied letters and philosophy in Sienna and eventually became canon of the cathedral of Novara. He is mostly known for this book, which is probably co-written by scholar and patron of arts Cassiano dal Pozzo. It describes 45 kinds of birds, with emphasis on songbirds, and the way to hunt, capture, keep and prepare them. Especially noticable is the first plate, where a musical company tries to tempt nightingales to sing.

-Literature: Anker 380; Autori Italiani del '600 146; Brunet IV, 180; Ceresoli 384-386; Cicognara 2072; Galba 2029; Gleidini, La caccia nell'arte, 72-73; Graesse V, 19; Harting 278; Hofer, Baroque book illustration 78; Nissen 693; Schwerdt II, 49; Souhart 356; Thieme-B. XXXII, 516; Zimmer II, 475 (erroneously mentioning 69 engravings).

-Condition: A splendid (dedication?) copy, in its original luxury binding!
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