Lot 88: 

AMPHIAREO, Vespasiano (ca 1490-1563). Opera ... nella quale si insegna a scribere varie sorti di lettere, et massime una lettera bastarda da lui novamente con sua industria ritrovata, laqual serve al cancellaresco et mercantesco. Venice: [Geronimo Scotto], 1555.

Oblong 8υo (142 x 206 mm). Woodcut title vignette, 85 woodcut calligraphic plates, historiated initials, ornamental headpieces. (Some light spotting, short marginal wormtrack in 7 leaves touching border.) 19th-century red half morocco by Boulier (light rubbing to joints and corners). Provenance: Giuseppe Marini (collation note); F.A.W. (gilt lettered on upper cover); "BB" (bookplate); acquired from Goodspeed's Book Shop, 1970.

Re-issue of the enlarged 1554 edition of one of the most popular writing books of its time, printed in over 16 editions in the 16th-century. A Franciscan friar, Amphiareo invented a new hand, bastarda del Frate, of which he provides several samples in this work and proclaims its utility on the title-page. In addition to the examples of calligraphy the author gives brief instructions on cutting a pen, making ink and writing in gold colors. See Bonacini 50; see Marzoli 5.

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