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Folio (13-1/2 x 21 inches). Empty covers from a binding by the Rospigliosi atelier of Rome, active from the early 17th through the early 18th centuries and patronized by a long procession of Church officials and foreign dignitaries. Foot lists more than 90 known bindings by the Rospigliosi workshop (Henry Davis Gift, pp. 333-6), including bindings for Pope Paul V, Scipio and Paolo Borghese, Popes Innocent X, XI and XII, Pope Alexander VII, several Cardinals, members of the Chisi, Altieri and de Medici family and Queen Christina of Sweden. The bindery was named by A.R.A Hobson (French and Italian, pp., xl-xliii) after patron Giulio Rospigliosi (1600-1669), who became Cardinal in 1657 and Pope Clement IX in 1667. The bindery was most active in the 1650s-1670s, around the time this binding was made. Led by the brothers Gregorio and Giovanni Andreoli, the workshop was named official Vatican bindery when Gregorio was granted the lifetime title of bookbinder to the Vatican Library in 1665. Foot, Henry Davis Gift I, pp. 323-336 Full brown morocco, tooled in gold to a panel design with double filet strapwork, border filled with floral tools, edged with dog's tooth roll, outer panel in compartments with semé of teardrop and floral tools, middle panel with quarter fans in corners, with central panel of compartments diapered and semé, unidentified arms of a Cardinal, spine in six compartments with raised bands, gilt with small floral tools. Spine repaired with loss to two compartments, some wear to corners. In a custom brown cloth clamshell box.
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