Boccaccio, Giovanni

Alternative Title

Genealogiae deorum

Date Created

1497

Date

1497

Identifier

HC 3324* = H 3322*; BMC V 504; Goff B754; Kaplan 111; ISTC ib00754000; GW 4479 (+ Accurti (1936), p. 84.

Shoults (Special Collections) Ic/1497/B

Publisher

Venice: Manfredus de Bonellis, de Monteferrato, 25 March 1497

Description

Vellum covers, severely marked. Inner front detached from text block. Spine title reads: Boccaco/ Genealo/ Deor. Gen/ et de/ Montibus/ &c/ 1497.

Genealogical tables, initial details, binding, colophon, early title-page details and provenance stamp.

Abstract

Two editions of Aesop's Fables, one dated 31 January, the other 15 February 1491, are the first known books from the press of Manfredus de Bonellis, de Monteferrato, in Venice. At the end of 1500, he was in partnership with Georgius de Rusconibus.

A page-for-page reprint of the 1494-1495 Venetian edition printed by Locatellus for Scotus. Giovanni Boccaccio's Genealogia (first printed in Venice by Vindelinus de Spira in 1472) is an encyclopedia of classical mythology, tracing the genealogy of the pagan gods. It was completed possibly about 1360. Boccaccio (1313-1375) was a Latin encyclopedist and founder of Italian prose literature.

Format

Paper. 162, [1] leaves; 298 x 205 mm (fol.)
Roman and Greek types.
Double columns; illustrated with genealogical tables.
Title-page: f.1a: 'Genealogie Ioannis boccatii. cum demonstrationibus in formis arborum designatis. Eiusdem de montibus et siluis. de fontibus lacubus et fluminibus. ac etiam de stagnis et paludibus: necnon et de maribus. seu diuersis maris nominibus.'
Colophon: f.162a: 'Impressum Venetiis per me Manfredum de Streuo De Monteserrato. Anno ab incarnatione Omnipo tentis Dei. M.CCCC.XCVII. Octauo kalendas Aprilis. Amen.'
Woodcuts.
Guide letters unpainted.

Provenance

1. Oval black stamp with initials DSA and a plant flourishing three flowers within
2. Canon William Ardene Shoults
3. Selwyn College; Otago University Library