Details
CASA, Giovanni della (1503-1556). Rime, et Prose. Venice: Nicolo Bevilacqua for Erasmo Gemini, October 1558.
4° (231 x 162mm). Historiated initials. 19th-century olive goatskin, gilt and blindstamped panel with corner fleurons on sides, blindstamped spine, gilt edges.
FIRST EDITION of Galateo, one of the most famous courtesy books, whose title has since become synonymous with good manners. Named after Galeazzo Florimonte, Bishop of Sessa, who first proposed the idea to Casa, Galateo is written in the form of advice given by an old, illiterate gentleman to a young student, and covers social behaviour ranging from table manners to personal demeanor to behaviour of different social classes. It was printed almost immediately in a separate edition. The present edition is notable for having been printed by Bevilacqua with the types and fine woodcut historiated initials which Paulo Manuzio used to print for the Accademia Veneziana. Renouard thus includes it in his Annales de l'Imprimerie des Alde (p.175, no.15), stating that it is "bien exécuté et peu commun". Adams C-806; Gamba 278; Brunet I, p.1610.
4° (231 x 162mm). Historiated initials. 19th-century olive goatskin, gilt and blindstamped panel with corner fleurons on sides, blindstamped spine, gilt edges.
FIRST EDITION of Galateo, one of the most famous courtesy books, whose title has since become synonymous with good manners. Named after Galeazzo Florimonte, Bishop of Sessa, who first proposed the idea to Casa, Galateo is written in the form of advice given by an old, illiterate gentleman to a young student, and covers social behaviour ranging from table manners to personal demeanor to behaviour of different social classes. It was printed almost immediately in a separate edition. The present edition is notable for having been printed by Bevilacqua with the types and fine woodcut historiated initials which Paulo Manuzio used to print for the Accademia Veneziana. Renouard thus includes it in his Annales de l'Imprimerie des Alde (p.175, no.15), stating that it is "bien exécuté et peu commun". Adams C-806; Gamba 278; Brunet I, p.1610.