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Vaticinium Severi et Leonis Imperatorum in quo videtur finis Turcarum in praesenti eorum imperatore una cum aliis nonnullis in hac re Vaticiniis.Profetia di Severo et Leone Imperatori nella quale si vede il fine de Turchi nel presente loro Imperatore con alcune altre profetie in questo proposito.
1596F75BBB01U79OBrescia 1596. Small 8vo 14.5 x 10 cm. Pietro Maria Marchetti Contemporary limp sheepskin parchment sewn on 3 alum-tawed thongs with manuscript title on smooth spine. With Marchetti's woodcut anchor and dolphin device imitating Aldus's on the title-page 16 numbered engraved emblematic illustrations plate size 8.5 x 6.5 cm woodcut headpieces tailpieces and decorated initials 3 series and decorations built up from cast fleurons. With the Latin text set in italic and the Italian translation in roman. 106 6 blank pp. First edition of the so-called Oracles of Leo the Wise with a bilingual Latin an Italian text and 16 lovely and rather surreal engravings: an emblematic book of prophecies traditionally attributed to Leo VI 866-911/12 Emperor of Byzantium from 866 to his death and at least here also to Antonius Severus 188-217 sole Emperor of Rome from his murder of his brother in December 211 to his death the book does not indicate which Severus is intended but the preface notes that he reigned from 212. The Latin text was circulated already attributed to Leo the Wise in the 12th century but Christians revived it in the 16th century and interpreted it as a prophecy that the Ottoman Empire would fall in 1622. These oracles remained popular in the 17th century when they were presented as having predicted the setbacks that the Ottomans suffered in Europe in that period.Owner's inscriptions on the title-page further with a bookplate. With a water stain in the first quire but otherwise in very good condition with only very minor foxing. The sewing supports have broken at the back hinge the thong ties are lost and the vellum is slightly wrinkled but the binding is still in good condition.l BMC STC Italian p. 622; Caillet 11042; Edit16/ICCU CNCE 28586; Mortimer Italian 254. hardcover
Asher Rare Books · Pays-Bas4 500,00 €