Scriptores rei rusticae (Opera Agricolationum, De re rustica)

Reggio Emilia: Franciscus de Mazalibus, 1499. Fifth Edition. Hardcover (rebound in leather). Very Good Condition. Attractively rebound in modern full calf in an antique style, added endpapers, front blank with old notes. Slight soiling here and there, heavier to title page and a few others, marginal notes and marks throughout in an early hand, a few just slightly trimmed when rebound, a few marginal repairs on final leaf, fine woodcut initials throughout. 244 leaves. Goff S350, is00350000

The fifth and final incunable edition of the major classical works of agriculture and rural life. First published by Jenson in 1472 - this edition follows the Dionysius Bertochus printing of 1496. An enormously influential work that covers bee keeping, wine making, farming, olives, cattle, food recipe for cakes, preserving ham, etc, and, in Cato, a host of rural wisdom, customs and superstitions (cf. before drinking eat cabbage with vinegar and you can drink as much as you like and never get drunk). Simon Bibliotheca Bacchica (incunabula) 45, Simon BG 309, Bitting 79 (later edition), Vicaire 192 (1472 1st ed. and later French editions), Cagle 1184a (1472 ed.)

Provenance: stamp of art collector Michele Calaveri (1813-1890) on aa2r, Rothamsted research library acquisition mark dated 1930. Size: Folio. Text is in Latin. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: 2-3 kilos. Category: Cooking, Wine & Dining; Latin Language; Farming & Rural Life. Inventory No: CAT000494.