BANDELLO, Matteo (1485-1561) - La prima [-terza] parte de le novelle. Lucca: Vincenzo Busdraghi, 1554. [INSIEME A, dello stesso autore:] - La quarta parte de le novelle. Lione: Alessandro Marsili, 1573.   First editions in elegant green morocco and with important provenances of this influential collection of short stories from which Cervantes and Shakespeare also drew inspiration, the latter for the composition of "Much Ado About Nothing", "Twelfth Night" and "Romeo and Juliet". The two unfortunate lovers Montecchi and Cappelletti are the main charachters of the novella IX of the second part, translated into French by Pierre Boaistuau in 1559, within his "Histoires tragiques". The French translation was then adapted into verse by Arthur Brooke in 1562, with his narrative poem "Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet", which became Shakespeare's main source. For Thomas Hoby's ownership inscription and motto see Roberts, 2020, pp. 53-66.   2 works in 4 volumes 4to (204 x 140mm). Engraved titles and woodcut initials in first three volumes, printer's device on title in fourth volume, woodcut headpieces and initials, the pages have been mounted to fit the original size of the bindings (perhaps lacking one title in the first part called for in SBN, without blank *8 in fourth volume, occasional small restorations mostly marginal, general light browning). First three volumes in 18th-century green morocco, fourth volume in modern uniform green morocco, elegant gilt border on covers, gilt floral and acorn-like decorations on spine, gilt decorated dentelles, marbled endpapers, gilt edges (light rubbing, especially at spines and joints). Provenance: T. Hoby, “Tendit in ardua virtus”' 1554 (1530-1566 renowned English diplomat and translator, ownership inscription on titles in first three volumes) - Di m. Silvio Bol.? (early ownership inscription at the end onf the IV volume) - Mexborough (the Earls of Mexborough books were sold by Sotheby, Wilkinson and Hodge in 1917) - Maurice Jonas - Luigi Vigano 1923 - J. Cigertiae (bookplates). (4)

Estimate € 400 - 600

Sold € 19,000