Sambigucci, In Hermathenam Bocchiam interpretatio, Bologna, Antonio Manuzio, 1556, modern boards in antique style

Sambigucci, Gavino. Gauini Sambigucii Sardi Sassarensis In Hermathenam Bocchiam interpretatio … In qua pertractantur, & referuntur ea quae sequenti pagina continentur. Bologna: Antonio Manuzio, 1556

A philosophical-theological commentary on the Symbolicarum quaestionum by Achille Bocchi, first published in Bologna in 1555 (see Biblotheca Brookeriana, 9 July 2024, lot 1574). The work delves into the 102 emblems of Bocchi, with particular attention to his emblem of Minerva, Mercury, and Divine Love. On typographic grounds Renouard suspected that the edition may have been printed in Venice by Aldo’s heirs. The edition displays two anchor and dolphin devices, the one on the title from a block used in Venice by the heirs of Aldo Manuzio 1542-1552, the other Antonio Manuzio’s own. Renouard doubted the existence of the Aldine press in Bologna and speculated this and five other books bearing Aldine devices and Antonio’s imprint were in fact printed in Venice. However, another two books, issued without any device under the imprints “In Bologna per Antonio Manutio, 1557” and “Bononiae apud Antonium Manutium, 1557”, suggest that Antonio was using local printing houses, and the question of where the Sambigucci was printed remains unresolved.

4to (208 x 152 mm). Roman type, 26 lines plus headline. collation: A-V⁴ X²: 82 leaves. Woodcut Aldine device to title-page and verso of last leaf, historiated initials, engraved illustration. (Light dampstaining and minor creasing.)

binding: Modern boards in antique style (219 x 166 mm), vellum manuscript, flat spine.

acquisition: Purchased from Studio Bibliografico Paolo Rambaldi, Molinella, 2011. references: UCLA 509; Renouard 169/12; Edit16 27752; USTC 854400