(1552-53). DONI (Antonio Francesco). I MARMI. - Lot 253

(1552-53). DONI (Antonio Francesco). I MARMI. Venice, Francesco Marcolini, 1552-53. 4 parts of 167-[1]-119-[1]-166-1bl.-93-[1]-1bl.-[1] pages, in 1 volume in-4°, without binding. First edition of these dialogues by eccentric young Florentines who converse about art and philosophy on the marble steps of Florence's Duomo. These dialogues involve over 100 different characters, some real, some fictional, on a wide range of poems and unrelated subjects. This volume contains an "Announcement" for the forthcoming publication of the "Inferni", with a reproduction of the title. (First advertisement?). The abundant and beautiful illustrations include 5 large portraits, including those of Doni, Petrarch and l'Arétin, and 38 EXTRAVAGANT FIGURES, such as a madman riding a crayfish, an engraving largely inspired by the Nave of Fools, all engraved after drawings by the printer Marcolini himself. Qq. light rings, small marginal gallery on 10 leaves. The copy is well preserved and placed in a binding that is not its own. (Brunet II, 813) (Mortimer, Italian n°165) (Adams, D-824) (USTC, 827617).