![ALCIATUS, Andreas (1492-1550). Emblematum liber. Augsburg: Heinrich Steiner [for Conrad Peutinger to whom the work is dedicated], 28 February 1531.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/CKS/2017_CKS_14301_0072_000(alciatus_andreas_emblematum_liber_augsburg_heinrich_steiner_for_conrad024400).jpg?w=1)
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ALCIATUS, Andreas (1492-1550). Emblematum liber. Augsburg: Heinrich Steiner [for Conrad Peutinger to whom the work is dedicated], 28 February 1531.
The Schäfer copy of the extremely rare first edition: only one auction record (ABPC/RBH). Alciati and Peutinger created this Renaissance class of learned literature by integrating for each emblem a motto, a picture and epigrammatic verse; they not only illustrated virtues and vices, but drew on history, mythology and nature to create elegant examples of insignia of practical use to painters, sculptors and goldsmiths. Another edition of the book was published on 6 April, also at Augsburg, with the same collation and woodcuts. Peutinger's role in publishing the first two editions explains Augsburg as its original place of printing. Green lists 127 editions of Alciatus up to 1600 (some speculative), most the output of the great publishing centres at Lyons, Paris and Antwerp. No other secular work of the 16th century enjoyed greater publishing success, and this small recreational book brought Alciati far more lasting fame than his important and prolific work on jurisprudence. As Vinet states 'Ce prodigieux succès démontre a quel degré le XVIe siècle fut amoureux du symbole et de l'allégorie'. The cuts are now attributed to Jörg Breu, though Green (p. 65) thought them to be by either Heinrich Steiner or Hans Schäufelein. Not in the Henry Yates Thompson collection catalogue (1880) which lists 41 editions up to 1781. Adams A-601 (6 April edition); Brunet I, 147: ‘Édition très peu connue'; Green 2; Landwehr German, 23; Praz p. 248; USTC 701368; VD16 A-1641; Vinet 835.
32mo (142 x 94mm). Title within a richly ornamented woodcut border of birds and insects, 98 woodcut emblems attributed to Jörg Breu, including 28 with ornamental and figurative side-borders, one woodcut initial (occasional light soiling and marginal dampstaining). Modern vellum on pasteboards, manuscript title on spine. Provenance: Paris, André Morellet (bookplate on verso of title, covering a former ownership) – occasional early annotations – Schweinfurt, Otto Schäfer (monogram stamp at end; bought in 1959).
The Schäfer copy of the extremely rare first edition: only one auction record (ABPC/RBH). Alciati and Peutinger created this Renaissance class of learned literature by integrating for each emblem a motto, a picture and epigrammatic verse; they not only illustrated virtues and vices, but drew on history, mythology and nature to create elegant examples of insignia of practical use to painters, sculptors and goldsmiths. Another edition of the book was published on 6 April, also at Augsburg, with the same collation and woodcuts. Peutinger's role in publishing the first two editions explains Augsburg as its original place of printing. Green lists 127 editions of Alciatus up to 1600 (some speculative), most the output of the great publishing centres at Lyons, Paris and Antwerp. No other secular work of the 16th century enjoyed greater publishing success, and this small recreational book brought Alciati far more lasting fame than his important and prolific work on jurisprudence. As Vinet states 'Ce prodigieux succès démontre a quel degré le XVIe siècle fut amoureux du symbole et de l'allégorie'. The cuts are now attributed to Jörg Breu, though Green (p. 65) thought them to be by either Heinrich Steiner or Hans Schäufelein. Not in the Henry Yates Thompson collection catalogue (1880) which lists 41 editions up to 1781. Adams A-601 (6 April edition); Brunet I, 147: ‘Édition très peu connue'; Green 2; Landwehr German, 23; Praz p. 248; USTC 701368; VD16 A-1641; Vinet 835.
32mo (142 x 94mm). Title within a richly ornamented woodcut border of birds and insects, 98 woodcut emblems attributed to Jörg Breu, including 28 with ornamental and figurative side-borders, one woodcut initial (occasional light soiling and marginal dampstaining). Modern vellum on pasteboards, manuscript title on spine. Provenance: Paris, André Morellet (bookplate on verso of title, covering a former ownership) – occasional early annotations – Schweinfurt, Otto Schäfer (monogram stamp at end; bought in 1959).
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Sale room notice
Please note that the format of this book is octavo and not as stated in the printed catalogue. Please also note that the lower margin of title-leaf has been repaired, slightly affecting the border, and that the final blank leaf is missing.
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