Apuleio dell'asino d'oro. Tradotto per M. Agnolo Firenzuola Fiorentino. Di nuovo ricorretto, e ristampato.

Fourth Italian edition of Apuleius' Golden Ass.

Woodcut device on title page, with headpieces, ornaments and initials.

Sm. 8vo (147 x 105mm). 266pp.  [3]ff. Contemporary limp vellum (vellum discoloured, tear to outer edge of lower cover).

Firenze, Filippo Giunti,

Uncommon late sixteenth-century edition of North-African Latin writer Apuleius’ The Golden Ass (also known as the Metamorphoses). This, Firenzuola’s translation was first printed in 1550. The ten books recount the story of Lucio who, on attempting to transform himself into a bird, makes a miscalculation and turns himself into an ass instead.

Provenance: Blessing - ‘tu dedisti tu abstulisti sit nomen domini benedictum’ inscribed in contemporary hand on inside front cover; further annotation on verso of final leaf.

Some water staining, and general bumping to edges of leaves and imperfections to paper throughout.

CNCE 2243. BMSTC (Italian), p.35. Adams A1382. Gamba, no. 48. Pettas, Giuntas of Florence, 745. OCLC: (US: Newberry Library, Illinois, Notre Dame, Columbia, Oregon, Huntington.)

Stock Code: 227819