[Literature] Faerno, Gabriele. Fabulae centum ex antiquis auctoribus delectae et a Gabriele Faerno Cremonensi carminibus explicatae

Rome: (Paolo Manuzio for) Vincenzo Luchino, 1564. First edition, second issue. 4to. (iv), 100 ff. Title-page within engraved architectural border, and with 100 engraved plates (each numbered in plate), as well as woodcut initials. Full speckled tan calf, stamped in gilt; red speckled edges; marbled endpapers; title-page trimmed close along top edge, affecting some of the border; spotting to text and plates; small loss in fore-edge of ff. 47, but not affecting text. Brunet II, 1160; Adams F-115; Harvard/Mortimer, Italian I, 178

Scarce first edition, second issue (the first issue appeared in 1563) of Gabriele Faerno's collected fables, with 100 fantastic engraved illustrations after drawings ascribed to Titian and Pirro Ligorio. One of the finest illustrated works published in Italy in the 16th century, and one of the first to seriously utilize the etching process. This collection proved to be incredibly popular, reaching over 50 editions and translations, and inspiring the likes of La Fontaine and Perrault.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.