RITIUS, MICHAEL (1445-1515).

Michaelis Ritii Neapolitani De regibus Francoru[m] lib. III. De regibus Hispaniae lib. III. De regibus Hierosolymorum lib. I. De regibus Neapolis & Siciliae lib. IIII. De regibus Vngariae lib. II. Apud Inclytam Basileam.

      Basileae, Apvd Ioannem Frobenivm, Mense Ivlio Anno M.D.XVII (1517). 4to; ff. 85, [5]; signatures: a-x4, y6. Contemporary full vellum; manuscript title and decorative design on spine; dark blue edges; title within historiated woodcut border; historiated and foliated initials; elaborate printer's device on last leaf. Date in ink on title; little contemporary marginalia on four leaves; faint water stain in lower margin of few leaves; small tear on front fly-leaf and paste-down. Edition statement from colophon; dedication by A[ulus] Ianus Parrhasius. A very good copy of a scarce work. Adams R587; Brunet IV, 1314; Graesse VI, 109; Renouard III, 211. Michele Riccio was an Italian humanist and historian who was a counsellor to Louis XII at Naples. These historical essays on the rulers of France, Spain, Jerusalem, Naples, Sicily and Hungary were previously published separately in Rome and Milan in 1505 and 1506, respectively. They were also collected by Josse Badius (1462-1535) under the title Compendiosi & veridicis de regibus Christianis fere libelli (Paris, 1507) - Brunet. The humanist Aulus Janus Parrhasius (1470-1522), who wrote the dedication, was well-known for his extensive library of early manuscripts and books. Noted humanist printer, Johann Froben (d. 1527), was active in Basel from 1491-1527. His friendship with Erasmus (c.1469-1536) extended to the latter's work as proofreader for Froben's classical publications, not the least of which was Erasmus' own influential Novum Testamentum, printed in Greek and Latin in 1519. Froben's device of two snakes intertwined with a bird, surrounded by putti, was designed by Hans Holbein the Younger (1497-1543). Holbein later left Basel for London during the Reformation to become court portraitist to Henry VIII.