MASSA, Niccolo (1485-1569). Liber introductorius anatomiae, sive dissectionis corporis humani. Venice: Francesco Bindoni and Maffeo Pasini, November 1536. 4° (210 x 150mm). Small woodcut on title. (Stain at fore-margin of quire P.). 16th-century goatskin panelled in blind with rolls (restored). Provenance: Giovanni Argentero (1513-1572, attentive marginal annotations throughout, signed at end and dated 4 November 1561) -- Stephano Menchini, doctor of arts and medicine (17th-century title inscription). FIRST EDITION of this anatomical treatise which 'remained the best brief textbook of the subject for a generation' (DSB). It is based partly on the author's own dissections and surgeries from 1526 to 1533, which he performed at the convent of SS. John and Paul and the hospital of SS. Peter and Paul in Venice. Massa's is the first reference to the prostate. One of the earliest owners of this volume was Giovanni Argentero, a medical doctor, who has intelligently annotated the volume and commemorated his having finished the book by signing and dating it 4 November 1561. RARE, Adams, Wellcome, and Durling all record the second editon of 1559 only, which, according to DSB, was 'unsuccessful'. Stillwell, Awakening, IV, 676; BLSTC, Italian, 424 MASSA, Niccolo.