Gelli, I capricci, Florence, 1551, contemporary Italian red morocco gilt

GELLI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA. I Capricci del bottaio di Giouanbatista Gelli accademico fiorentino. La quinta impressione accresciuta & riformata. Florence: Lorenzo Torrentino, 1551

8vo (175 x 105 mm). Roman and italic types, 28 lines plus headline. Collation: A–O⁸: 112 leaves 8vo (175 x 105 mm). Roman and italic types, 28 lines plus headline. collation: A–O⁸ (final 3 leaves blank): 112 leaves. Woodcut Medici arms on title, large woodcut portrait of the author on verso of title.

Binding: Contemporary almost certainly Italian red morocco of extreme simplicity (183 x 116 mm), frame formed by two gilt fillets, in centre of upper cover "I CAPRICCI/DEL/BOTTAIO" and of lower "DOLCE NEL/FINE.ET NEL/ PRINCIPIO/ ACCERBA," spine with 4 full and 2 half bands (French style), compartments undecorated, plain edges gilt. (Rubbed at edges and corners, minor soiling to covers.)

Provenance: Gilt motto on lower cover (a quotation from Petrarch)—Librairie Paul Jammes, Catalogue 236, item 99—Pierre Jammes (1925–2009), his sale, Sotheby's, Paris, 12 October 2010, lot 119. Acquisition: Purchased at the preceding sale. References: Edit16 CNCE 20582; USTC 832126