Cezza - Vita del Sig. Conte Cammillo Silvestri - 1720

THE MUSEUM OF A GREAT SCHOLAR: THE LOST WORLD OF SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY ANTIQUARIES
First edition of the Vita del conte Camillo Silvestri, published in Padua in 1720 by Giambattista Conzatti and compiled by Michelangelo Zorzi. Silvestri, a Rovigo nobleman, was one of the protagonists of Venetian antiquarian culture between the 17th and 18th centuries, a scholar and collector of antiquities, coins, and medals. The volume goes far beyond the character of a simple biography: through the life of the savant, his collections are illustrated and archaeological, numismatic, historical, and literary testimonies discussed. Of particular fascination is the large calcographic portrait at the frontispiece, within a rich Baroque frame, to which the text adds engravings of coins and medals, ornamental initials, and an elegant floral finial. A parchment contemporary issue with manuscript title on the spine.

REASONS FOR COLLECTING
* FIRST EDITION – Original Padovan edition of 1720 of Camillo Silvestri’s biography.
* ANTIQUARIA AND NUMISMATICS – Testimony to the great culture of Italian scholarly collecting in the early 18th century.
* ICONOGRAPHIC APPARATUS – Calcographic portrait at the frontispiece and interesting depictions of coins and medals in the text.
* CONTEMPORARY PARCHMENT – An authentic copy preserved in its 18th‑century binding with manuscript title on the spine.

MARKET VALUE
A work of specialized interest for collectors of antiquarian books, numismatics, the history of collecting, and 18th‑century Venetian culture. The value of the specimen is supported by the first edition, the presence of the calcographic portrait, the antiquarian illustrations, and the contemporary parchment binding. Commercially, the volume is more appealing if presented as a testimony to the antiquarian and museum culture of the early 18th century rather than as a simple local biography. 700–800 euros.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Volume in contemporary rigid parchment, smooth spine with manuscript title in old script. Frontispiece with a calcographic portrait of Camillo Silvestri within an elaborate decorative frame; typographic title page; illuminated and ornamental initials; numismatic illustrations in the text and a large floral finial. Parchment with natural patina of time, some stains, signs of use and modest wear at the extremities of the spine. Interior with traces of gore? clear traces and occasional halos; wide margins. Portrait and engravings well preserved. A genuine and pleasant copy. Pages: 6nn; 144; 8nn.
In old books, with a multihundred-year history, some imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description.

FULL TITLE
Vita del Signor Conte Camillo Silvestri nobile di Rovigo e padre della romana erudizione. Adornata di varie osservazioni al suo Museo spettanti, e copiosa di molte altre notizie istoriche, critiche, e letterarie. Consagrata agl’Illustrissimi Signori Giandomenico Roncali e Domenico Cezza.
In Padova, presso Giambattista Conzatti, 1720.
Michelangelo Zorzi.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Camillo Silvestri (1645–1719) belonged to the great tradition of Italian savants and antiquarians who, between the 17th and 18th centuries, collected and studied coins, medals, inscriptions, and testimonies of classical antiquity. His activity fits the moment when private collections of nobles and scholars were progressively transforming from cabinets of curiosities into collections organized according to historical and antiquarian criteria. His museum thus became not merely a collection but a tool of study through which to interpret the material sources of the ancient world.

LITERARY SIGNIFICANCE
Zorzi’s work fuses biographical genre with erudite dissertation. The life of Silvestri provides the through line for numerous observations in history, archaeology, literature, and numismatics. Of particular significance are the pages dedicated to ancient coins and medals, used not as mere curiosities but as authentic historical sources. The volume thus represents an interesting document of the progressive affirmation of the antiquarian method that would contribute to the birth of modern archaeology and scientific numismatics.

PRINTING HISTORY AND RARITY
First edition, printed in Padua in 1720 by Giambattista Conzatti. The specialist nature of the work, dedicated to a savant and his antiquarian collection, suggests a readership primarily cultured and confined to academic, noble, and antiquarian circles. Complete copies including the frontispiece portrait and preserved in contemporary parchment bindings today show markedly higher collectible interest, especially in the market specialized in the history of antiquarian studies and numismatics.