[MONTE CASSINO]. LEO, Marsicanus, Cardinal, Bishop of Os...

Chronica sacri Casinensis coenobii nuper impressoriae arti tradita ac nunquam alias impressa: in qua totius monasticae religionis summa consistit.

      Venice, Lazaro de Soardi, 1513. First edition of this important history of the abbey at Monte Cassino, considered the "greatest original work produced at Monte Cassino, and one of the best historical chronicles of the Middle Ages... The gem of this chronicle is the long account of the restoration of the abbey, which is a locus classicus for the history of Italian art..." (Thompson, History of Historical Writing I, 211).Adams M1702; Sander 4387. 4to., ff. [8], 215, roman letter; large woodcut title vignette of St Benedict between SS Placidus and Maurus, woodcut of St Mary of the Rosary on verso of title, numerous woodcut initials; lacking final blank leaf, a few light stains here and there, but a good, unwashed copy in red morocco, gilt edges.