Prima Pars [et Secunda] Promptuarii Iconum Insigniorum a Seculo Hominum

Contemporary vellum, darkened, worn at corners, old inscription to front blank, dampstain to upper right corner early on and lower margin towards the end, modest browning and foxing, crease to center of last 30 pages. 2 volumes in one, each page with medallion portraits and a brief biography of celebrated figures from Adam to Henry II. (viii), 172, (4)pp; 247, (8)pp. Graesse V 458, Adams P2161, Bib. Lyon. IX 205. Rouille was an important Lyonese printer who invented the 16mo pocket format. He apprenticed in Venice and came to Lyon in 1543 to set up his press. This collection of portraits was published simultaneously in Latin, French, and Italian (Spanish 5 years later) and was hugely successful prompting decades of imitations. Provenance:Giacamo DeToma (bookplate), 1884 inscription of Felice Guidi (?), Size: Quarto (4to). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: 1-2 kilos. Category: History; Biography & Autobiography. Inventory No: 045324.