Marineo Siculo, Lucio.

folio (288 x 198mm.), large woodcut coat-of-arms on title-page, woodcut initials, numerous woodcut illustrations (mostly portraits and coats-of-arms and decorative genealogical diagrams), woodcut device above colophon, nineteenth-century navy morocco gilt, both covers with central gilt arms with corner monograms of J. Gomez de la Cortina, spine gilt in compartments, gilt edges, manuscript bibliographical description loosely inserted, without final blank leaf, occasional slight foxing

J. Gomez de la Cortina; William Morris, with the booklabel of Kelmscott House, Hammersmith

Joachim Gomez de la Cortina, Marqués de Morante (1808-1868), was a celebrated bibliophile whose library was sold in Paris in 1872; this book was lot 1720.

William Morris's interest in book design is well-known, and the attractive layout of this book (which is not dissimilar to the Nuremberg Chronicle) will have appealed to Morris.

Norton 628; Lyell, Early book illustration in Spain, figure 93 (printer's device)

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

first edition, william morris's copy. Marineo was commissioned to write this history of Aragon by the Eight Deputies of Aragon and received a thousand solidi for his work.

Coci is renowned as one of Spain's great early printers. He began printing (with 2 other German printers) in 1499 and inherited materials from the press of Pablo and Juan Hurus, adapting their device for his own use. He continued printing until his death in 1546. His most famous work is the first edition of Amadis de Gaula, published in 1508.