pp. 614; 550. Some slight worming with loss of a few letters. Some old age stain. Latin text. Small 24mo. 135 mm. Plain old vellum binding. Early manuscript ownerships of Jac: Albani Gibbesij, M.D. Rome, 1653. This is certainly James Alban Gibbes or Ghibbes (1611-1677), a Latin poet, who was probably born at Valognes in France, the son of English parents. His father, William Gibbes of Bristol, enjoyed a successful medical practice in England, eventually acting as physician to Queen Henrietta Maria. James was sent abroad to receive a Roman Catholic education.He subsequently travelled in the Low Countries, Spain, Germany, and Italy. Like many other youthful travellers, Gibbes took advantage of the opportunity to study at some of the universities along his route, notably in Padua (from November 1641), which had a distinguished medical faculty. In 1644 Gibbes moved to Rome; for two years he acted as tutor to Almerico, son of Francis, duke of Modena. This employment did not, however, prevent him from taking additional patrons, including Cardinal Luigi Capponi, and medical positions. Gibbes flattered in Latin verse each of the various popes under whom he lived, receiving favours from them in return. Gibbes began to publish his Latin poems and orations in the 1650s. `Clementia' (composed in 1653, the year he signed this book), is an ironic poetic complaint that he had been turned down for the post of keeper at the Vatican Library. Gibbes's poetic fame spread outside Rome. Few British authors enjoyed such a great continental reputation as a poet. Two volumes of three. Especially interesting because of the association with Gibbes, who may have intended this set as a gift to the English College at St Omer. **PRICE JUST REDUCED! SMALL BOX 9 Classics.
