Antonino Valsecchi (1708–1791) - De' fondamenti della religione - 1786-1788

Fra Antonino Valsecchi – Theological and Apologetic Works – Sixteen volumes in four volumes – Naples, 1779–1786

Interesting eighteenth-century collection of the works of Fra Antonino Valsecchi (1708–1791), Dominican theologian and professor of Theology at the University of Padua, a significant figure in the Italian religious and philosophical debate during the Age of Enlightenment.

The lot comprises four physical volumes in period bindings, containing a total of six tomes, from I to VI, divided as follows:

First volume: tomes I and II.
Second volume: tome III.
Third volume: tomes IV and V.
Fourth volume: tome VI.

The collection brings together important writings by Valsecchi devoted to the foundations of the Christian religion, to the refutation of irreligion and of anticlerical philosophical thought, as well as to the defense of Catholic doctrine.

Antiquarian interest features

Particularly appreciable are the eighteenth-century title pages, some printed in red and black, with elegant typographic marks and ornamental engravings. The pages display decorated drop caps, headers, and typographic composition typical of eighteenth-century Italian book production.
There are also ancient handwritten ownership annotations on the title pages, testimony to the history of the copies. The four volumes preserve the rigid period bindings, with spines bearing titles and tomic numbering on decorated stiles.

Conditions: copies with signs of age and use, wear and rubbing to the bindings, discolorations, abrasions, small losses and irregularities at the edges. The pages show occasional stains, foxing, and traces of time; in the photographed pages the text is generally legible. There are ancient handwritten annotations noted. The photographs are an integral part of the condition description.

Collection of notable historical and bibliographic interest for scholars and collectors of old books, theology, church history, religious philosophy, and intellectual controversies of the eighteenth century.

The lot comprises four physical books containing six tomes.