BONIFACIO, Giovanni L'arte de' cenni, con la quale formandosi favella visibile, si tratta della muta eloquenza, che non e' altro che un facondo silentio... Vicenza, F. Grossi, 1616
4to (208 x 152 mm), pp [xxii] 3-623 [1]; small portion of blank corner of title repaired, minor marginal worming on prelims, a very good copy in contemporary vellum. £1350
First edition of 'the first treatise on sign-language for the deaf and mute' (Norman catalogue). 'Bonifacio's sign-language for the deaf and dumb employed almost every part of the body for conversational purposes' (Garrison and Morton).
The work contains many particulars of the art of miming and pantomime, both ancient and modern. The second part deals with the signs and symbols of mathematics, architecture, navigation, etc.
Garrison and Morton 3344; Krivatsy 1516; Norman 264 (this copy); Piantanida et al 19; Riccardi I 153; NUC: CtY DNLM NNC
£1350
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