IMPORTANT WORK ON THE HISTORY OF FLORENCE IN A FICTITIOUS IMPRINT

Varchi, Benedetto. Storia Fiorentina di Messer Benedetto Varchi. Nella quale principalmente si contengono l'ultime Revoluzioni della epubblica Fiorentina, e lo Stabilimento del Principato nella Casa de' Medici. Colla Tavola in fine delle cose più notabili. Colonia (ma Augusta): appresso Pietro Martello (ma Paolo Kuhzio), 1721.

Folio, 334x212 mm, late eighteenth century full vellum binding, with a five raised bands spine, blind tooled frame at boards and gilt title at spine; pp. (28), 677, (2), (1b.); framed title at half-title page in a chalcographic full page engraving with the coat of arms of And. Matth. Wolfgang (Andreas Matthaus Wolgang, 1660-1736), portrait of the Author engraved by Pfeffel in a medaillon at frontispiece, double medaillon engraved at title-page with the portrait of the A. and the motto "Così quaggiù si gode", red and black types at title-page, a double page plate out of text with the genealogical three of the Medici family, finely engraved in copper plate, numerous and very fine xyl. head- and final-pieces and head-letters.

Beautiful and important work on Florentine history by Benedetto Varchi (1503-1565).
This work was actually printed in Augsburg by Paul Kuhzio and curated by Francesco Settimani (cfr. Parenti, Dizionario dei luoghi di stampa falsi, inventati o supposti, 56).
This copy falls within the third type described by Gamba, purged of the episode relating to the violence used by Pier Luigi Farnese against the Bishop of Fano originally narrated on pp. 639-640, but reinstated by a manuscript sheet here attached (flying paper, after p. 640).

Provenance: Ownership indication at title-page (round stamp in blue ink with coat of arms and wording: "ex libris Antonii de Summo").

References: IT\ICCU\TO0E\004539. OCLC, 4078375. Brunet V, 1087; Gamba 998; Graesse VI/2, 259; Lozzi 1949; Moreni 428; Parenti 1732.

Presence of browning and some foxing, slight alone of wet at margins of few leaves, first leaves a bit loose, small wormholes in four leaves, not interesting text, lower head-band damaged; light slip towards the outside of the central leaves, around pp. 350-400, due to binding a bit loose (restorable). Complete copy, in good condition.