First edition of a neo-Latin poem inspired by the events of the Old and New Testaments. Interestingly, there are several references to classical mythology and the woodcut on f. 113 shows the named figures of Virgil, Dido and Ovid in the company of an angel while a satyr emerges from a cave.
This copy belonged to a Dominican house in Bologna and was removed from its shelf and marked as ‘Proibito’ on the title-page and the binding, presumably because of Velmazio’s mixing of Biblical and mythological themes - his book remained on the Index until 1900.
This is a superb example of a 16th century Venetian illustrated book, printed in a very attractive Italic type and with original illustrations of a very high quality, although the artist is unknown. The printer did not put his name to the work but Dennis Rhodes has established from the ornamental initials that the book was printed by Aurelio Pincio.
Little is known of the author, Giovanni Maria Velmazio, a Franciscan friar, professor of theology and poet, who was born in Bagnacavallo, near Ferrara.
There were at least two issues of this edition, a few copies are also known to have errata on 203v and 204r; in our copy, like in those described by Mortimer, Sander and Rhodes, there is no errata.
Title lightly dust soiled with one or two small marginal holes, f. 87 with stain and very small burn hole affecting one or two letters, but generally a fresh, crisp copy.
Provenance: Library of the Dominican Friars of Bologna “Bibliotheca F. F. Praed. Bonon no. 370” in an early hand, the shelf-mark ‘no. 370’ crossed out with the word ‘Proibito’ added.
Mortimer (Italian) 522. Sander 7506. Dennis Rhodes, Silent Printers, V2. Censimento Edit 16 48234.
