Dibdin, Thomas Frognall; Spencer, George John [Oth.]: Bibliotheca Spenceriana: or a descriptive catalogue of the books printed in the fifteenth century, and of many valuable first editions, in the library of George John Earl Spencer (Band 4) (London, 1815) [Cicognara, 4650-4]

ITALIAN BOOKS.

168

\Modena; 1491.

the first book is embellished with a tasteful border, containing portraits
of Constantxne, Fiovo, and Ricieri.

For tlie gratification of the numerous class of Collectors of Romances,
and in order tliat they may be enabled to illustrate their early copies
of the present work, I subjoin fac-similes of the portraits;

The capital initial of the first word of the text, presents us with
a rude wood cut of the portrait of Pope Sylvester. Brunet, vol. ii.
p. 375-6, has copied the description of this impression frorn the
Bibliogr. Instruct. vol. iii. p. 667; telling us, however, that a copy
of it was sold at. the first sale of the Duke de la Valliere’s
books, in 176/j (Cat. de la Valliere, vol. i. p. 551, n°. 3380,) for 168
livres. The copy there described is said to be bound in red morocco;
and the present has the same (foreign) binding; but there is a trans-
position of two leaves in the table, which otherwise has its full com-
plement of 7 leaves. On the recto of the 8th leaf is a general title to
the six books, thus :*

* I sliall here subjoin the title of each of the six books :

LIBRO SECONDO
Qui commenza el secondo libro de le hy-
storie de gli reale de franza nati de Constanti
no imperadore: et chiamase elFiorauate: etpar-
te de Rizieri primo paladino et de altri baro-
ni poi che fuoi'ono xpiani. in prima come
el re Fiorello regnaua in fraza et lo re Fiore i
dardea : et come el re fioreilo aue vno fiolo cu
el neielo fu la fpalla rita naque da vna donna
de bauiera sua moglie chiamata lei Biacado
ra: et lo nato fiolo hebbe nome Fiorauante: et
fu el primo che naque cum quel signo, Ca. i.