Vitruvius, De architectura libri decem, Florence, Heirs of Filippo I Giunta, 1522, contemporary vellum

Vitruvius Pollio, Marcus. De architectura libri decem nuper maxima diligentia castigati atque excusi, additis, Iulij Frontini De aqueductibus libris propter materiae affinitatem. Florence: Heirs of Filippo I Giunta, 6 November 1522

This reprint by Filippo Giunta’s heirs repeats the woodcut illustrations of the 1513 edition, but dispenses with its woodcut initials. The text is now set in an italic font, corrected and improved; “Le texte vitruvien n’est pas identique à celui de 1513, quoi qu’on en ait dit (Fowler 396, RIBA 3493)" writes Frédérique Lemerle, who sees evidence of haste, revealed by coarse misprints (F. Lemerle, in Giovanni Giocondo umanista, 2014, pp. 188-189). 

8vo (154 x 96 mm). Italic type with some Roman and Greek, 30 lines plus headline. collation: AA⁸ A-Z⁸ a-c⁸ AA-BB⁸ CC⁴: 236 leaves. Woodcut Giunta device on title-page and final verso, numerous woodcut illustrations. (Scattered soiling, mostly minor.)

binding: Contemporary limp vellum (156 x 105 mm), yapp edges, remnants of two pairs of chamois ties, four rawhide bands piercing covers at spine, flat spine, early nineteenth-century title, date, and shelfmark label "AXIII/1645" in red on spine, plain edges. (Rubbed and stained.)

provenance: Johann Goswin, of Schwäbisch Gmünd, inscription, "Joannes Goswinus Gamundianus" dated 1554 on title- page, with "Γvωθι καÊ πoιτί (?)" — Unidentified owner, inscription "Laürits und beminde CÇper. Solas Fas. gh" in red ink on inner cover — Fürstenberg, family library (Donaueschingen) — Librairie Thomas-Scheler, Paris — Librairie Lardanchet, Beaux livres anciens et modernes (Paris 2002), item 3. acquisition: Purchased from Librairie Lardanchet, Paris, 2002. references: Renouard LXVII/64; Edit16 28778; USTC 863684; Decia & Delfiol p. 123 no. 172