Louis Le Roy/Hercole Cato - La Vicissitudine o mutabile varietate delle cose, nell'universo - 1585

LE ROY, Louis / [CATO, Hercole / ALDO]
The Vicissitude or mutable variety of things in the universe, by Louis Regius of France: Translated by Mr. Cavalier Hercole Cato
In Venice, at Aldo, 1585

This volume, in 4to format [8ff; 327pp.; 8ff.], is the Italian edition by the knight Hercole Cato of the major work by the French humanist Louis Le Roy (called Regius), entitled De la vicissitude ou variete des choses en l'univers. The work examines the changes, the progress and the decadence of civilizations, empires, letters and the arts throughout universal history.

A prestigious Venetian edition issued from the Aldine presses (Presso Aldo), dated 1585, adorned with a magnificent title engraved architecturally with the famous Aldine anchor with dolphins mark.

The copy bears an old handwritten ex-libris mentioning the author Louis Le Roy as well as a library label from a rare collection (Private Property of Levi W. Mengel, Reading, Pa.).

An old brown half-leather binding with a smooth spine ornamented with gilded fillets and titles, paired with brown pastedown boards of a later period, showing scuffs and wear.

Pages of text in generally good condition despite an old patina, a fine copper-engraved title, ornamental initials and engraved headers, completed by the table of contents (Tavola) at the end.

Beautiful copy of this rare work.