Description
The first [-fift] booke of architecture... translated out of Italian into Dutch,and out of Dutch into English. London: Robert Peake, 1611. First English edition, folio, woodcut illustrations throughout, woodcut initials and header pieces, book one lacking title, next leaf and final blank, book two lacking folio 26?, book three folios 26 & 27 misbound, book five lacking folios 9 -12, mounted on stubs throughout, approx first 80 leaves silked and some others later on, some leaves trimmed [touching headlines], staining and browning throughout, some worm damage; [bound with] [Bartoli-Scamozzi, Ottavio] Il forestiere istrutto nelle cose piu' rare di architettura... della citta di Vicenza. Venice: Vendramini Mosca, 1804. Second edition, 8vo, 36 engraved plates [mostly folding], text and plates mounted on guards and interspersed throughout the first work, bound together in modern brown cloth gilt. Sold not subject to return.
Footnote
Note: First Work STC 22235.
Serlio was born in Bologna and, after studying drawing and perspective at Pesaro, he moved to Rome in 1514. His five volume work is thought to be the first great illustrated architectural treatise of the Renaissance, pioneering the use of clear, high quality illustrations to create a coherant and practical treatise that would influence architectural styles around Europe. First published in Italian from 1537 to 1545, this English edition was developed from the Dutch in 1611, with copies found in the libraries of some of Great Britain's greatest architects including Sir Christopher Wren and John Wood. The 1611 English edition is one of the earliest, and rarest, architectural works in the vernacular language.