(PICCOLOMINUS Augustinus): MARCELLUS Christophorus Rituum Ecclesiasticorum sive Sacrarum Cerimoniarum S.S. Romanae Ecclesiae libri tres non ante impressi. Venice, Gregorius de Gregoriis, 1516 (Nov. 16)
Small folio: three fine large woodcuts, one at the head of each book. 17th century calf, worn, rebacked. A library stamp and old inscription removed from title and paper strengthened, otherwise an excellent copy.
Very rare first edition. Written by Piccolomini, Bishop of Faenza, about 1488 on the orders of Pope Innocent VIII, the work was edited and published by Marcellus without any mention of the true author's name. He did however make some alterations to the text of Piccolomini's manuscript: these were reported to Pope Leo X by the cardinals. The book was suppressed and a large part of the edition was burnt. There is another 'edition' with the same imprint and date: the text is unaltered but the papal privilege is removed from the verso of the title, which has been changed. Olschki, Choix 3136: Sander 5662: Rivoli Cat. pp. 381 et seq.
£600
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