Vitruvius, I dieci libri dell'architettura, Venice, 1567, modern calf gilt in period style

VITRUVIUS POLLIO, MARCUS. I dieci libri dell'architettura di M. Vitruvio. Tradotti & commentati da Mons. Daniel Barbaro eletto patriarca d'Aquileia, da lui riveduti & ampliati; & hora in piu commoda forma ridotti. Venice: Francesco de Franceschi & Johann Criegher, 1567

Second edition of Daniele Barbaro's pre-eminent Italian translation of Vitruvius, first printed in 1556. The commentary has been somewhat amended from the earlier printing; rather than the focus being on issues of concern to Barbaro's fellow Venetian patricians, the commentary is now designed more for practical use by architects and has been somewhat simplified. The smaller format (and presumably lower price) of this volume would have made it more affordable and more usable.

Folio (274 x 198 mm). Roman type, with the commentary, headlines, and chapter titles in italic: 48 lines plus headline. Collation: a⁴ A-HH⁴ II² KK⁴ LL² MM-TTT⁴: 260 leaves. Woodcut architectural title-page, woodcut initials and head-piece ornaments, 121 woodcut illustrations (including two repetitions). (Lower blank portion of title restored and repaired wormholes in upper margin, occasional light marginal foxing).

Binding: Modern period-style calf gilt (272 x 197 mm), gilt edges.

Acquisition: Purchased in 1989 from Sokol Books, London. References: BAL RIBA 3523; Edit16 28880; Mortimer, Harvard Italian 549