Sigonio, Emendationum, Venice, [Paolo Manuzio], 1557, contemporary limp French vellum, the Gude copy

Sigonio, Carlo. Caroli Sigonii Emendationum libri duo. Quorum argumentum proximae pagellae indicabunt. Venice: [Paolo Manuzio], 1557

Only edition of Sigonio’s immediate defence of his Chronologia (1555) and interpretations of ancient epigraphs, written in response to Francesco Robortello’s work of the same name published at Padua in August 1557. It is printed in a new Cicero Roman type, which A.F. Johnson supposed was “the type Manuzio intended for octavos, which we are told was cut in 1557” (“Some types used by Paolo Manuzio”, reprinted in Selected essays, 1970, p. 257).

The Gude copy.

4to (209 x 147 mm). Roman type, 37 lines plus headline. collation: A⁴ a⁴ B-Z⁴ Aa-Ll⁴ Mm-Oo⁴ Pp-Ss⁴: 168 leaves. Woodcut Aldine device to title-page and verso of last leaf, guide letters in initial spaces, historiated initials, woodcut illustration of coins, ruled in red. (Closed tear to P3, repaired tear to title-page, occasional very light spotting.)

binding: Contemporary limp French vellum with yapps (210 x 157 mm), double gilt fillets around sides, inner rectangular frame composed of two gilt fillets with fleurons at outer angles, large central gilt arabesque, traces of two pairs of fabric ties, flat spine, with four false bands in gilt, rawhide cords penetrating spine at false bands, head and tail, title written in ink in top two compartments, gilt bud and leaves in all compartments, edges gilt. (Lightly spotted and soiled, creasing to edges.)

provenance: Marquard Gude (1635-1689), inscription "Marq: Gudii" on title-page; his sale, Barthold Reuther, Bibliotheca exquisitissimis libris ... à viro illustri Domino Marquardo Gudio, Hamburg, 4 August 1706, lot 25 — possibly Anderson Galleries, Auction 932, New York, 3-4 January 1912, lot 429 — David L. O'Neal, New Ipswich — Arthur Vershbow (1922-2012) and Charlotte Vershbow (1924-2000), joint ex libris, acquired in 1990 — Christie's New York, 9-10 April 2013, lot 314. acquisition: Purchased at Christie's via Halwas. references: UCLA 511; Renouard 172/16; Edit16 28033; USTC 856326