Rocca, Bibliotheca apostolica vaticana a Sixto V translata, Rome, 1591, early eighteenth-century speckled calf, the Macclesfield copy

4to (214 x 159 mm). Roman and italic type, 38 lines plus headline. collation: a-d⁴ e⁶ A-3G⁴ 3H2-4 3I-3N⁴: 257 leaves (only, of 258; lacking 3H1) + 2 plates. 2 folding engraved plates, engraved device on title-page, title printed in red and black, woodcut initials and illustrations. (Some small stains, lacking 3H1, e2 reinforced at margin, 10 mm closed tear along crease of first folding plate, small tear partially repaired to A1, slightly affecting text, a number of cancel slips, paper flaws to 3B4 and 3C4 affecting 3 words and to final leaf affecting 2 words.)

binding: Early eighteenth-century speckled calf (224 x 170 mm), single gilt fillet around sides, spine with 5 bands, compartments gilt, red leather title-piece, red speckled edges. (Spine ends becoming defective, joints cracking.)

provenance: Library of the Earls of Macclesfield at Shirburn Castle, bookplate dated 1860 to upper pastedown, pressure stamp to title, by descent until sold, Sotheby's, 2 October 2008, lot 4714. acquisition: Purchased in 2009 from Jonathan A. Hill, New York. references: USTC 852771; Edit16 CNCE 33796; Adams, R-627