![[VENETIAN PLAQUETTE BINDING.] -- PONTANUS, Johannes Jovanius (1426-1503). Selections of Aldine editions of his works, comprising: Opera (Urania through Acon). Venice: Aldus, 1513. Renouard 63.7. -- PONTANUS. Opera (Amorum libri through Eridanorum libri. Venice: Aldus, 1518. Renouard 85.10.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/NYR/2006_NYR_01769_0257_000(122635).jpg?w=1)
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[VENETIAN PLAQUETTE BINDING.] -- PONTANUS, Johannes Jovanius (1426-1503). Selections of Aldine editions of his works, comprising: Opera (Urania through Acon). Venice: Aldus, 1513. Renouard 63.7. -- PONTANUS. Opera (Amorum libri through Eridanorum libri. Venice: Aldus, 1518. Renouard 85.10.
2 volumes in one, Aldine 8o (162 x 98 mm). Aldine anchor device on first title. (Lacking title and A2 in the second work.)
FINE CONTEMPORARY VENETIAN PLAQUETTE BINDING: gold-tooled red morocco over wooden boards, small flower and leaf tool at the angles of the sides, round green morocco inlay at center of front cover impressed in blind with the portrait medallion of Pontanus by ADRIANO FIORENTINO (Kress, Medals 106), the round green morocco inlay on the back cover impressed with a medallion of Urania, the Muse of Astronomy, compartments of spine diapered in blind, edges gilt (lacking clasps, some light wear at ends of spine). Provenance: purchased from Emil Offenbacher, 7 April 1954.
For the same Pontanus portrait medal by Adriano Fiorentino, but used on Neopolitan bindings, see De Marinis I, plates XLIV-XLVII. E.P. Goldschmidt described his copy of Pontanus with the medallion on both sides, bound by a Neopolitan binder: "These bindings, of which two other specimens seem to have survived beside my own, are the finest examples of the application of a Renaissance medal on bookbindings" (Gothic and Renaissance Bookbindings, I:72 and no. 51). The Urania medallion is apparently unrecorded on bindings. Sold as a binding, not subject to return.
2 volumes in one, Aldine 8
FINE CONTEMPORARY VENETIAN PLAQUETTE BINDING: gold-tooled red morocco over wooden boards, small flower and leaf tool at the angles of the sides, round green morocco inlay at center of front cover impressed in blind with the portrait medallion of Pontanus by ADRIANO FIORENTINO (Kress, Medals 106), the round green morocco inlay on the back cover impressed with a medallion of Urania, the Muse of Astronomy, compartments of spine diapered in blind, edges gilt (lacking clasps, some light wear at ends of spine). Provenance: purchased from Emil Offenbacher, 7 April 1954.
For the same Pontanus portrait medal by Adriano Fiorentino, but used on Neopolitan bindings, see De Marinis I, plates XLIV-XLVII. E.P. Goldschmidt described his copy of Pontanus with the medallion on both sides, bound by a Neopolitan binder: "These bindings, of which two other specimens seem to have survived beside my own, are the finest examples of the application of a Renaissance medal on bookbindings" (Gothic and Renaissance Bookbindings, I:72 and no. 51). The Urania medallion is apparently unrecorded on bindings. Sold as a binding, not subject to return.
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Please note that the second work is imperfect at the end.