Il Courtegiano, The Courtier.
first edition
by CASTIGLIONE, Baldassar.
Book. Written by Baldassar Castiglione. And a new version of the same into English. Together with several of his celebrated pieces, as well Latin as Italian, both in prose and verse. To which is prefix'd, the Life of the Author. By A. P. Castiglione, of the same family. London: Printed by W. Bowyer, for the editor, 1727. L arge 4to, early marbled boards. Pp. [lvii], 508, uncut. Engraved frontispiece portrait. Boards rubbed, most of leather spine wanting, but cords mostly strong and intact; occasional light stains. Withal, a fresh uncut copy. $ 300. First edition of A. P. Castiglione's handsome English translation, executed while he was teaching Italian under the patronage of King George, to whom the edition is dedicated. The text is in double columns, the original in italics parallel to the translation in Roman, decorated with intricate head and tail pieces, and preceded by a fine cartouche portrait engraved by Vertue after Raphael. Lowndes, p. 386; NCBEL II, 1543. (Inventory #: 2289)