Kolbe & Fanning
Auction 162 22 Jan 2022
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Strada's Handsomely Illustrated 1557 Epitome
Strada, Jacob de. EPITOME THESAURI ANTIQUITATUM, HOC EST, IMPP. ROM. ORIENTALIUM ET OCCIDENTALIUM ICONUM, EX ANTIQUIS NUMISMATIBUS QUAM FIDELISME DELINIATARUM. Tiguri (Zürich): Apud Andream Gesnerum, 1557. 8vo, full contemporary vellum. (72), 335, (1) pages; woodcut printer's device on title; woodcut initial; hundreds of attractive engravings of ancient coins in white on a black background throughout the text. Vellum worn, with significant tearing to upper joint near head; moderate general wear, but most leaves quite bright and attractive. Very good or so. An interesting example of the second edition of Strada's magnum opus, one of the most attractive early illustrated numismatic books. The Epitome originated in the author's own cabinet although Strada received valuable assistance from Guillaume du Choul and Jean Grolier. The hundreds of medallions, engraved on wood, depict Roman, Byzantine and German emperors. The text gives short biographical sketches of the emperors. Strada (1505–88), was an Italian antiquarian who acted as a purchasing agent for the Emperors Ferdinand I, Maximilian II and Rudolph II, in addition to buying coins for the Fugger cabinet in Augsburg. The handsome illustrations are similar in appearance to those found in Fulvio and Huttich, the first two illustrated numismatic books. The printer, Andreas Gessner, had the original woodcuts of coins found in the first edition (generally attributed to Bernard Saloon) carefully copied, probably by Petit Bernard. Whether it is a pirated edition or was published with Strada's approval is not known. In either case, it underscores the popularity of the work. Babelon 79–80. Bassoli 17. Dekesel S72. Hirsch 124. Lipsius 383. Ex Patricia A. Milne-Henderson Library.
Strada, Jacob de. EPITOME THESAURI ANTIQUITATUM, HOC EST, IMPP. ROM. ORIENTALIUM ET OCCIDENTALIUM ICONUM, EX ANTIQUIS NUMISMATIBUS QUAM FIDELISME DELINIATARUM. Tiguri (Zürich): Apud Andream Gesnerum, 1557. 8vo, full contemporary vellum. (72), 335, (1) pages; woodcut printer's device on title; woodcut initial; hundreds of attractive engravings of ancient coins in white on a black background throughout the text. Vellum worn, with significant tearing to upper joint near head; moderate general wear, but most leaves quite bright and attractive. Very good or so. An interesting example of the second edition of Strada's magnum opus, one of the most attractive early illustrated numismatic books. The Epitome originated in the author's own cabinet although Strada received valuable assistance from Guillaume du Choul and Jean Grolier. The hundreds of medallions, engraved on wood, depict Roman, Byzantine and German emperors. The text gives short biographical sketches of the emperors. Strada (1505–88), was an Italian antiquarian who acted as a purchasing agent for the Emperors Ferdinand I, Maximilian II and Rudolph II, in addition to buying coins for the Fugger cabinet in Augsburg. The handsome illustrations are similar in appearance to those found in Fulvio and Huttich, the first two illustrated numismatic books. The printer, Andreas Gessner, had the original woodcuts of coins found in the first edition (generally attributed to Bernard Saloon) carefully copied, probably by Petit Bernard. Whether it is a pirated edition or was published with Strada's approval is not known. In either case, it underscores the popularity of the work. Babelon 79–80. Bassoli 17. Dekesel S72. Hirsch 124. Lipsius 383. Ex Patricia A. Milne-Henderson Library.