- 37
Bembo, Pietro
Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Gli Asolani. (Venice: in the house of Aldus, 1505)
- Paper
4to (197 x 125mm.), text in italics, woodcut Aldine device on verso of colophon, without final blank, Italian eighteenth-century painted sheep, flat spine gilt, red speckled edges, binding slightly rubbed, spine chipped at head
Provenance
William O'Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899
Literature
Aldo Manuzio tipografo 90; Censimento 16 CNCE 4986; Renouard 48/1; Texas 80a; UCLA 88
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
FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, with the dedication to Lucrezia Borgia, dated August 1504, on a1v-a2r, which was removed for the second issue. Various reasons for the removal of the dedication have been suggested; Renouard mentions that Lucrezia's husband, Alfonso d'Este, who became duke of Ferrara in January 1505, had fallen out with the Pope so Bembo felt that a dedication to his wife could be offensive to the Pope. However, Bembo and Lucrezia had been lovers in 1503-1504 which could give a different slant to the removal.
"To us [Gli Asolani] is a work of great interest: a fascinating glimpse of high society, an important literary experiment, a popularisation of Ficino's theories of love, and an edition which commands attention because of the personalities concerned, and because of its connection with political developments in Rome and Ferrara" (M. Lowry, The World of Aldus Manutius, p. 152).