Lot 925
925
PLATINA, Bartholomaeus. Vitæ pontificum. (Nürnberg, Anton Koberger, 11 Aug. 1481). (128) lvs. W. initials and paragraph marks alternately supplied in red and blue. Fol. Fine modern dark blue mor. Jansenist binding, gauffered edges. (r° first leaf a bit thumbed, some marginal annotations in an old hand in places, some unobtrusive staining in places, but an excellent copy w. ample margins).
Second edition (first: Venice, 1479) of Platina's work on the lives of the popes, commencing with the life of St. Peter and ending with the life of pope Paul II. The author, Bartolomeo de Sacchi (1421-1481), known as Platina after his birthplace (Piadena), and commonly referred to in English as Bartolomeo Platina, was an Italian Renaissance humanist writer and gastronomist. Pope Sixtus IV made him Vatican librarian in 1475, an appointment which was depicted in a famous fresco by Melozzo da Forlì. He was granted the post after writing this innovative and influential history of the lives of the popes that gives ample space to Roman history and the themes of Antiquity, and concludes by vilifying Platina's enemy and previous pope, Paul II. Fine example of Anton Koberger's renowned press. - NB On the front free endpaper and the first text-leaf a contemporary handwritten index of popes has been added. ISTC ip00769000; Hain-C. 13047; Polain 3187; GKW M33881; etc.€ 3000
result € 3800
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