Scriptores rei rusticae, Libri de re rustica, Venice, Aldo Manuzio & Andrea Torresano, 1514, contemporary French calf with parallel vertical blind rolls

Scriptores rei rusticae. Libri de re rustica M. Catonis lib. I M. Terentij Varronis lib. III L. Iunij Moderati Columellae lib. XII Eiusdem de arboribus liber separatus ab alijs, quare autem id factum fuerit: ostenditur in epistola ad lectorem. Palladij lib. XIV De duobus dierum generibus: simulque de umbris, & horis, quae apud Palladium, in alia epistola ad lectorem. Georgij Alexandrini enarrationes priscarum dictionum, quae in his libris Catonis: Varronis: Columellae. Venice: Aldo Manuzio & Andrea Torresano, May 1514

First Aldine edition of this compilation of texts on Roman agriculture, including viticulture and winemaking, by Cato, Varro, Columella, and Palladio, which was first printed by Jenson at Venice in 1472. The Aldine text was edited by Giovanni Giocondo, who earned ten ducats for his efforts, as well as ten copies of the book. Scriptores rei rusticate is one of the final works seen through the press by Aldo prior to his death the following year. Introductory matter includes a preface by Pietro Bembo (dated Rome, November 1513), a letter from Giocondo to Leo X, and a note by Aldo to the reader on the division of days and hours according to Palladio. 

4to (208 x 129 mm). Italic type, 39 lines plus headline. collation: *⁸ aa–bb⁸ cc¹⁰ a–h⁸ i⁴ k–z⁸ A–Q⁸: 342 foliated leaves (cc10 blank). Woodcut Aldine device on title-page, aa1r, and Q8v, three woodcut illustrations of agricultural implements, nine woodcut and four typographic diagrams in text illustrating field layouts and seeding patterns, six- and seven-line initial spaces with guide letters. (Some light marginal dampstaining throughout, a bit of scattered foxing, paper restoration to upper inner corner of title-page.)

binding: Contemporary French calf (214 x 136 mm), covers with parallel vertical blind rolls in a variety of patterns (knotwork, fleurons, pierced heart, etc.), title gilt-lettered RERV RUSTIC LIBRI at top of front cover, traces of four pairs of ties, plain edges. (Rebacked, corners restored, some rubbing and staining.)

provenance: Unidentified owner, contemporary inscription scratched off title — W. F. Kuhlmann, inscription dated 1769 on front endpaper, possibly Wilhelm Friedrich Kulmann (fl. 1769–1783), Stadtadvokat und Kaufschreiber zu Speyer. acquisition: Purchased from Librairie Petitot, Paris, 1962. references: UCLA 121; Adams S805; Aldo Manuzio Tipografo 123; Edit16 37471; Renouard 66/2; Simon, Bibliotheca Bacchica II:593; Simon, Bibliotheca Gastronomica 310; USTC 800443