HAS LUDENTIS OTIJ CAROLO RUBEO SINGULARIS AMICITIAE PIGNUS D D D

Small quarto (6-1/2" x 8-3/4") bound in early marbled boards. Famous series of exquisite etchings by Salvatore Rosa (1615-1673) of soldiers and people of other occupations drawn with lively gestures and expressive facial expressions. There are 60 numbered etchings (of 62?), including the title page, all signed mostly with the monogram "SR" within the etching. This series, made in 1656-57 and dedicated to his friend and supporter, the Roman publisher Carlo Rossi, achieved great popularity among contemporaries: "They were copied, imitated and forged much more often than his other prints, so often that it is almost impossible to keep track of all the later variations "(Richard Wallace, THE ETCHINGS OF SALVATOR ROSA, page 12). Graesse VI, 161. Bookplate on front pastedown and small bookseller's label to rear pastedown, some markings in pencil in various places, moderate foxing throughout though mostly confined to margins. Boards rather toned and rubbed with spine portion lacking, exposing the backing which is comprised of a fragment from an early vellum manuscript leaf. Still a Very Good copy of a lovely, scarce book.…