- 152
Galilei, Vincenzo
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description
- Galilei, Vincenzo
- Dialogo di Vincentio Galilei nobile fiorentino della musica antica, et della moderna. Florence: Giorgio Marescotti, 1581
- Paper
first edition, folio (330 x 213mm.), title within woodcut allegorical border, two engraved musical examples, folding diagram pasted onto p.120, other woodcut music examples and diagrams (some full-page), contemporary limp vellum with manuscript note on lower cover in an early hand, annotations in an early hand elsewhere, with early shelfmarks and inventory numbers at foot of spine and on front flyleaf, occasional slight spotting and dampstaining, small wormholes in gutter at pp.60-76, tear to upper margin p.23 not affecting text
Provenance
Jean Ballesdens (1595-1675), inscription on title-page, the classical scholar and lawyer who was elected to the Académie française in 1648. His library was dispersed in 1676 and much of it subsequently entered the Bibliotheque Sainte-Geneviève in Paris.
Literature
Censimento 16 CNCE 20220; Gregory and Bartlett, p.103; Hirsch I, 201; RISM, Écrits, p.344
Condition
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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This celebrated book contains the earliest musical illustrations printed from engraved plates. Apart from some engraved lute tablature published in 1536, these are the earliest known examples of engraved music.
Vincenzo Galilei, father of the astronomer, was an accomplished composer, lutenist, singer and composer whose rejection of contemporary polyphony (as described by his former teacher Zarlino) and call for a return to the single melodic lines used by the ancient Greeks lead eventually to the accompanied arias of the Baroque era. For other fine books on music, please see Lots 507-544.