GIRALDI, Giambattista Cinzio (1504--1573)
De gli Hecatommithi di M. Giovanbattista Gyraldi Cinthio nobile ferrarese. Parte prima. ([Pt 2:] La seconda parte de gli Hecatommithi di M. Giovanbattista Giraldi Cinthio nobile ferrarese nella quale si contengono tre dialoghi della uita ciuile.)
Monte Regale [i.e. Mendovi]:, appresso Lionardo Torrentino,, 1565.
2 pts [in 5 vols] ; 16.4 cm. (8º)
I: 14, [18], 199, [5], 201--326, [4], 329--486, [6], 489--623, [5], 625--751, [5], 753--902, [2] p. : wd-cut port., initials
II: [20], 63, [3], 65--208 p., 209--224 ff., [4], 217--317, [7], 321--368, [4], 369--490, [2], 493--623, [5], 625--798, [2], 799--820, [2], [96] p. : wd-cut port., initials

In two parts. The second part has title reading: La seconda parte de gli Hecatommithi di M. Giovanbattista Giraldi Cinthio ... nella quale si contengono tre Dialoghi della uita ciuile. With a woodcut portrait of author on the verso of the title-page in both volumes. The first part contains the introductory matter and 'Deca Prima' to 'Deca Quinta'; the second part contains 'Deca Sesta' to 'Deca Decima' preceded by the three 'Dialoghi', and followed by [80] pp. of index and [16] pp. of errata. Each part is preceded by an unpaginated dedication leaf or leaves. 'Dialogo Terzo' in part 2 is paginated 1--208 and 209--224 are numbered as leaves. This copy can be identified as a variant according to H.M. Adams, Catalogue of books printed on the continent of Europe 1501--1600 in Cambridge libraries (Cambridge 1967), vol. I, no. 705. The work furnished plots for Shakespeare's Othello, Measure for Measure, and Cymbeline. Hooked on Books 8.1.

Copy Notes The Soane copy is bound in five volumes. Part 1 is bound in volumes I--II; part two in volumes III--V. The contents of part 2 are misbound with the three 'Dialoghi' bound separately as vol. V rather than at the beginning of part 2 to precede 'Deca Sesta', and the dedication to the Marchese di Torsi is after that to 'Deca Decima' (which is followed by a duplicate of the 'Deca Quarta' dedication) rather than after the 'Primo Dialogo' as suggested on internal textual evidence. Bought on 25 March 1829, for 12 guineas from T. & W. Boone, whose bill notes that it was Bought at Mr Hibbert's Sale. (Spiers Box). Volume I is inscribed in ink on Soane's bookplate 12.12:0; March 1829. George Hibbert, a noted collector and member of the Roxburghe Club, auctioned off most of his art and books after succeeding to his wife's uncle Rogers Parker's Munden estate near Watford in 1828. R.H. Evans's sale of George Hibbert's library ran for 42 days from 16 March to 6 June 1829 (q.v.); the present work described as 'first edition, fine copy in French red morocco, gilt leaves, rare' formed lot 1730 on the ninth day, 25 March. Volume I inscribed in ink on fly leaf prima edizione rarissima è stimata .I.. Library shelf numbers inscribed in ink on fly leaves Nº. 7001[--7005]; vol. I has additional shelf-mark in pencil A.A.5. The title-page of La seconda parte ... (vol. III of the Soane copy) has an earlier ownership inscription in ink at head of title, washed out with damage to the leaf and largely illegible: Ex libris An[...?] Chesni[---?].

Binding C18th red morocco, gilt triple-ruled borders with small rosette corner-pieces, gilt-tooled spine-compartments direct-lettered in gilt 'Hecatomm / O Novelle / Di Giraldi / Firenz. 1665 / Tom ...', gilt edges, marbled endpapers. Bound in five volumes.

Reference Number 1244

Additional Names T. & W.$Boone; Shakespeare, William (1564--1616) - Sources