[Rarebooks] FS: Work on funeral lore illustrated by Girolamo Porro. Venice: 1591

[Karmbooks at aol.com]

Porcacchi, Tommaso. FUNERALI ANTICHI DI DIVERSI POPOLI, ET NATIONI; Forma, 
Ordine , et Pompa di Sepolture, di Essequie, di Consecrationi Antiche et d’
Altro... Con le Figure in Rame di Girolamo Porro. Venice: [Giorgio Angelieri] for 
the Heirs of Simon Galignani. 1591. Second edition. Sm. folio. (8).96pp. 
Illustrated with a fine engraved title-page within an elaborate architectural border 
and 23 numbered half-page text engravings. Grotesque engraved ornaments and 
tailpieces throughout with four satyrs, and Galignani’s tower device at end. 
Early full mottled calf, gilt decorated spine compartments and 2 brown morocco 
spine labels. Some worming at top 3 inches of spine and an old leather repair 
at foot of spine. Some marginal soiling to the title-page, which is chipped and 
reinforced at inner blank margin. Minor worming at the top blank fore-margin 
of the last few leaves. Bookplate of noted bibliographer Theodore Besterman on 
the front pastedown, and an early engraved armorial bookplate on rear 
pastedown. A very good copy of the scarce second edition.     $2,500.00 (trade 
discount allowed)
A graphically illustrated book on funeral lore which depicts various forms of 
executions and funerals, by the Italian scholar and writer Porcacchi 
(1530-1585). It was first published in 1574. Six of the engraved plates were reworked 
for this 1591 edition. The detailed engravings (this copy with brilliant 
impressions of the copperplates) are by the famous engraver Girolamo Porro who is 
described in the text as “an extraordinary artist who has overcome the handicap 
of defective eyesight,” and also as “the designer of a flying machine which 
will carry many men.” Mortimer. ITALIAN SIXTEENTH CENTURY BOOKS, #395.

Kenneth Karmiole, Bookseller, Inc.
P.O. Box 464
Santa Monica, CA 90406
Tel. (310) 451-4342; Fax. (310) 458-5930
Email: karmbooks at aol.com




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