Io. Matthæus Toscanus - Carmina illustrium poetarum Italorum - 1576-1577

Carmina of illustrious Italian poets. Io. Matthaeus Toscanus compiled, revised, and for the first time published a substantial portion. In Paris: at Aegidius Gorbinus, from the region of the College of Cameracensis, 1576-1577, complete works in two volumes. Leaves (12), 288, 96; (4), 261 (i.e. 363: numerous leaves repeated in the numbering); size 13 x 8 cm. Rare first edition of this rich anthology of Latin poets and Humanists. It is edited by Giovanni Maria Toscano (1500 - 1576), himself a deep and convinced humanist and assured connoisseur of the Latin and Italian literary world. Noted, among others, the work of Fracastoro on Syphilis, the Carmina of Poliziano, works of Sadoleto, Mirteo, Palladio, Manuzio, Chrysostomo and many, many other writers and humanist poets, also almost unknown. A handsome volume pair (bindings in stiff parchment with leather title-lables applied to the spine), the two tomes are very solid, compact. Scattered foxing and signs of old dampness affect the leaves: light wormholes scattered.