Lot 196: MARCO BOSCHINI (1613-1678)

MARCO BOSCHINI (1613-1678) [Il regno tutto di Candia. Venice: 1651.] 2° (545 x 360mm). Engraved plate of the lion of Venice hovering over Crete, and 57 numbered plates (of 61), 8 of which folding, ALL FINELY COLOURED BY A CONTEMPORARY HAND, all mounted on 18th-century laid paper with ink manuscript frames. (Lacking engraved title, plates 24, 25, 26 and 50 and letterpress dedication, tiny marginal tears and stains affecting the mounts.) 18th-century marbled-paper covered boards (rebacked with recent leather spine, rubbed). FIRST EDITION. The Venetian painter, writer and engraver Boschini began work on this survey of Crete in 1645 and published a two-sheet map of the island. In the same year Crete was invaded by the Turks and, when Il regno tutto di Candia was published, the town of Candia (Heraklion) was in the fourth year of what was to become a twenty-two year siege. Although DBI on-line mentions an edition of 1645, this is not recorded elsewhere. Atabey 136; Blackmer 171; Brunet I, 1123; Nordenskiöld I, 31; Shirley BL BOS-1a.