Andrea J. Fulvio

Illustrium imagines

      Iacobus Mazochius, Rome 1517 - 11½ x 16½ cm, later binding (deep red gilt decorated leather spine vellum boards), 117 p., first edition. Fulvio’s book is of great importance as the first printed numismatic book, reproducing Roman coins (from the private collection of the publisher) to mainly depict the rulers of the East- and West-Roman empire and their wives. It marks the beginning of iconography. The book is paged in latin numbers, one for two pages. The 204 woodcut portraits (white on a black background) and the decorated settings are thought to be of the Venetian artist Ugo da Carpi. The images of the emperors are based on real coins, those of the women are considered to be based on phantasy Title page missing, book begins with the dedication to Pope Leo X (2 p.), followed by an introduction by Iacobo Sadoleto ( 3 p.) and 221 pages with decorated setting of which 201 contain medaillons. Apart from the missing title page, the last 3 medaillons (1½ page) are missing plus the 2 page index. The missing pages are present in facsimile. The last 10 medaillons have lost sections at top right and left, fortunately leaving the portraits and the text unaffected. Cover in good condition, binding tight. Still a useful copy of this highly important and rare book. K14