Beschreibung:

COLONNA, Francesco (1433-1527)]. Hypnerotomachia Poliphili , in Italian. Venice: Aldus Manutius for Leonardus Crassus, December 1499. Super-chancery 2° (309 x 206mm). Collation: π 4 a-y 8 z 10 A-E 8 F 4 (π1 title, π1v dedicatory letter by Crasso to Guido, Duke of Urbino, π2r poem to Crasso by J.B. Scytha, π3r synopses in verse and prose, π4v verses by Andreas Maro of Brescia, a1r second title, a2r bk.I, A1r bk.II, F3r colophon, F3v epitaphs, F4r errata, F4v blank). 234 leaves. 39 lines. Type: 115R (evolved from 2:114), 7:114 Greek, 10:82R, 9:84 Greek, square Hebrew. 172 woodcuts attributed to Benedetto Bordon 11 of which are full-page, 39 woodcut initials forming the name Franciscus Columna. (A few expert marginal repairs, inscription washed from a1v.) Modern Grolieresque binding of brown morocco with dark brown morocco strapwork onlays edged in gilt, same decoration in spine compartments, brown morocco liners, vellum endpapers, g.e., by Marius Michel in morocco-backed slipcase. FIRST EDITION. Often celebrated as the most beautiful illustrated book of the Italian Renaissance, the Hypnerotomachia interweaves the courtly romance of the Middle Ages with the revival of classical culture. In search of his lost love, Polia, Polifilo is led through a fantastic dream-world of pyramids and obelisks, classical gardens, ruined temples and bacchanalian festivals, before finding her and gaining ultimate enlightment at the temple of Venus. The Hypnerotomachia epitomizes the Aldine mastery of type, illustration, design and execution. The attribution of the woodcuts to Bordon is supported by the initial "b" appearing in two of them, and the similarity of style to miniatures, which have been assigned to him. Two letters AM have been stamped in by hand to correct the second title on a1r, as in GW Anm.2. HC *5501; GW 7223; BMC V, 561 (IB. 24499-24502); Goff C-767; Sander 2056; Essling 1198; IGI 3062; IDL 1353; Renouard Alde 21.5.