Tre Libri de gli Uccelli da Preda

Carcano, Francesco. Tre Libri de gli Uccelli da Preda. Appresso i Gioliti, Venetia, 1587. pp. 250. (Velum in a custom-made archival clamshell box). Carcano was a Venetian nobleman and practicing falconer for 40+ years. His knowledge of the sport/art of falconry is extraordinary and important to this day. This is a very rare sixteenth-century treatise on falconry in three libros (chapters) (pages 1 to 240), followed by one libro concerning the use of dogs for the hunt (pages 241 to 249). There are engravings on the first and last pages. The text also includes a drawing of veterinary instruments used in falconry. Headers and woodcut initials throughout the text. Very old, illegible signatures are on the title page. The elegant vellum binding is in fine condition. Some watermarks throughout; otherwise in excellent condition with minimal signs of aging. No shipping to European Union countries at this time.