Pribojevic, Della origine et successi de gli Slaui oratione, Venice, Aldo II Manuzio, 1594, eighteenth-century full vellum

Pribojevic, Vinko. Della origine et successi de gli Slaui oratione. Di m. Vincenzo Pribeuo dalmatino da Lesena, gia recitata da lui nella medesima città et hora tradotta dalla lingua latina nell'italiana da Bellisario Malaspalli da Spalato. Venice: Aldo II Manuzio, 1595

[Bound with:] Mellini, Domenico. Trattato di Domenico di Guido Mellini, dell'origine, fatti, costumi, e lodi di Matelda, la gran contessa d'Italia; diuiso in due parti. Florence: Filippo II Giunta, 1589

First edition in Italian of an oration originally delivered in 1525 by Vincenzo Pribeuo (Vincentius Priboevius), a Dominican from Hvar in Dalmatia and regarded as the "Father of Panslavism." The translator was Bellisario Malaspalli of Split. The edition includes a five-page catalogue of Aldine Press books (Libri di stampa d'Aldo, nella Libraria di Vinetia, M.D.X.C.V., folios a6v–a8v), listing works published as early as 1563 and as late as 1595. The was one of the last books printed by the Aldine Press in Venice.

First edition in Italian of Mellini's work on Matilda of Tuscany, the 11^th-century countess and military leader who played a crucial role in the Investiture Controversy. Mellini presents a detailed account of her lineage, deeds, and virtues, celebrating her as a model of piety and political acumen. The treatise is divided into two parts, offering both historical narrative and praise of Matilda’s legacy.

Two works bound in one volume, 4to (201 x 141 mm). (1) Roman type, 27 lines plus headline; (2) Roman and italic type, 37 lines plus headline. collation: (1) a⁸ A-K⁴: 48 leaves; *² **⁴; (2) A-P⁴: 70 leaves. Woodcut Aldine device to title of first work, woodcut printer's device to title of second work, full page engraving of enthroned Matilda to second work. (Engraving of Matilda shaved and extended, first title-page spotted with dampstaining to gutter, second work with intermittent spotting and toning.)

binding: Eighteenth-century full vellum with morocco title label (207 x 146 mm), yellow edges. (Textblock cracked, endleaves renewed.)

provenance: Unidentified owner, inscription "Morina" on title-page of second work (eighteenth century) — unidentified owner, armorial ex libris (nineteenth century). acquisition: Purchased from Libreria antiquaria Mediolanum, Milan, 2016. references: (1) UCLA 1029; Renouard 253/3; Edit16 27746; USTC 851320; (2) Edit16 28806; USTC 841980