FIRST EDITION OF CENTORIO'S LAST «SPEECH ON WAR» IN A HANDSOME 18TH CENTURY FULL CALF BINDING

Centorio Degli Hortensi, Ascanio. Il quinto et vltimo discorso di guerra del signor Ascanio Centorio de gli Hortensii. In Vinegia (Venice): appresso Gabriel Giolito de' Ferrari, 1562.

4to (200x143 mm), 18th century full calf (remboitage) with gilt borders, six raised bands with gilt decorations, pp. [24], 285, [3].Fine woodcut headletters.

First edition of the fifth and last «Speech on War» by Centorio, an exhaustive work examining all the main aspects of the Science of War.

The Speeches on War were published separately between 1558 and 1562, and together in 1566.

Ascanio Centorio degli Hortensi (1480 - 1550), born from a noble family, was an elegant poet and a skillful historian, but mostly he became famous for the perfection of his oratory and for his five Discorsi di guerra («Speeches on War»).

References: CNCE, 10792. OCLC, 57013640 (referred to the 5 vols of the Discorsi di guerra).

The upper corner of the leaves restored. Not perfect, but honest copy, with a nice binding.