ARIOSTO, Ludovico (1474-1533) - Orlando Furioso. Venice: Francesco de Franceschi, 1584.   A splendid edition of Ariosto illustrated by Girolamo Porro (1520–1604) and annotated by Alberto Lavezuola. Considered by Mortimer to be "the most elaborate of the sixteenth-century editions," our copy is one of the extremely rare examples that includes the original engraving for Canto XXXIV depicting Saint John the Evangelist, rather than the repeated illustration of Canto XXXIII. "A tutti i bibliografi e a tutti i bibliofili è notissimo che quella del canto XXXIV non è che la ristampa del rame adoperato per il canto XXXIII. Soltanto in alcuni rarissimi esemplari..sopra questa tavola ripetuta è stata incollata la tavola propria del canto XXXIV ristampata su una carta alquanto più leggera, il cui tergo è bianco" (Ridolfi, La Bibliofilía. Vol. 54 [1952], pp. 92-96).   3 parts in one volume 4to (270 x 186mm). Titles within an elaborate engraved border, woodcut initials, headpieces and decorations, engraved vignettes and full-page illustrations, the engraving on a7v has been applied to correct the one underneath (title and first leaves reinforced at the inner margin, some light staining, E6 with a small marginal repair, some light waterstaining, small wormtracks at the inner margin of the final gatherings, some browning and foxing). Contemporary vellum, manuscript title on spine, gilt decorations on spine and covers, gilt edges (expertely rebacked, later endpapers, minor losses and restorations, some wear). Provenance: Carlo Alberto Chiesa Libri Antichi (1926-1998, bookseller's ticket).

Estimate € 500 - 800

Sold € 1,800