PETRARCA, Francesco (1304-1374) - Il Petrarca con l'espositione d'Alessandro Vellutello e con piu utili cose in diversi luoghi di quella novissimamente da lui aggiunte et ristampate. Venice: Giovanni Antonio di Nicolini da Sabio, 1541.   A splendid copy printed on light blue paper and in elegant red morocco with the arms of Madame de Pompadour (1721-1764). The sixteenth-century editions on light blue paper, usually printed in Venice between 1540 and 1550, are difficult to find on the market. To produce this special type of paper a colouring substance had to be added to the rag mixture.   8vo (154 x 100mm). Printed on blue paper, reglé copy, with final blanks (some leaves lightly cropped). Elegant red morocco with the arms of Madame de Pompadour, edges, dentelles and spine decorated in gilt, marbled endpapers (minimal rubbing to extremities, corners bumped). Provenance: Janus Maherius - Joannes Genetias? (early ownership inscriptions at end) - Madame de Pompadour (binding).

Estimate € 1,800 - 2,500

Sold € 20,000