CASTIGLIONE, Baltasar.

The classic of courtly literature Il Cortegiano.

      Venice, Gabriel Iolito de Ferrarii, 1541.. 8vo. Contemporary vellum, with remnants of ties. Woodcut printer's device on two titles, and on verso of the last leaf, with woodcut initials in text. (6, 2 blank, 5), CXCV lvs.. Early Venetian edition of one of the most important literary works of the Italian high Renaissance. The author, the Italian statesman and writer Balthasar Castiglione (1478-1529), used to live at royal and papal courts. He was a specialist in good manners, courtesy, elegance, and diplomacy. This classical work, characterized by the same elegance in style, is a manual for courtiers, discussing in the form of dialogues staged at the Court of Urbino where Castiglione lived for several years, the virtues of real noblemen and ladies, at the same time showing the court etiquette in all its subtlety. Other important issues of the time, in the fields of morality, literature, and politics are also considered, making the present work the principal source for the study of customs and traditions of the time. The book was very successful: after the first edition, by Aldus in Venice, 1528, many other editions and translations followed. It remained popular through the nineteenth century, and continued to influence manners, especially in England and Spain. The present edition is well produced, printed in an elegant italic type. With fine woodcut initials. Good copy. Adams C 929; STC Italian p. 156.