Main entry:

Serlio, Sebastiano, 1475-1554.

Title & Author:

Il primo[-secondo] libro d'architettura / di M. Sabastiano Serlio, Bolognese.

Publication:

In Vinetia : Per Cornelio de Nicolini da Sabbio a instantia de Marchio Sessa, [1551?]

Description:

2 v. in 1 (16, 31, [1] leaves) : illustrations (woodcuts) ; 36 cm (folio)

Notes:
1st Italian ed.
Book 2 has caption title only: Il secondo libro di perspettiva.
Imprint from colophon; date from Brunet: Fowler supplies date of "ca. 1551."
According to Brunet this undated ed. may have antedated the 1545 French ed., but recent scholars (e.g., Dinsmoor) have accepted 1551 as the date of issue. Cf. Fowler.
Signatures: v.1: A-D⁴; v. 2: A-H⁴.
Woodcuts: broad strapwork border with geometrical figures and drawing instruments; below the title in center panel is the Sessa cat-and-mouse device; another version of the Sessa device on last page, with motto "Dissimilium in fida sotietas;" extensively illustrated with geometric diagrams, and sketches demonstrating principles of perspective.
Text printed in italic type.
Place of publication and name of publisher from colophon. Imprint date from Fowler.
Signatures: A-D⁴ A-H⁴ [$2 signed (-A1+B3)].
Fowler architectural collection of the Johns Hopkins University, 304
Brunet, J.-C. Manuel du libraire et de l'amateur de livres (5e éd.), volume 5, column 304
Dinsmoor, W.B. "Literary remains of Sebastiano Serlio." In Art bulletin 24 (1942): 55-91, 115-154, page 74, note 92
EDIT 16, CNCE 32814
Cicognara, 664-1
Library c. 2: imperfect: wanting leaf H4; leaf E1 unsigned.
Library c. 2: binding: 1960s binding with 19th-century boards and provenance information preserved; ownership inscription of H.H. Laws, ARIBA 1945; ownership inscription of Peter Laws, FRICS, February 1966; presentation copy of Frederick William Roper to Thos. J. Bailey, with 19th-century bookplate of the latter.
Library c. 3: bk. 2 only.
Library c. 1: bound (1) with: Il terzo libro di Sabastiano Serlio Bolognese ... In Venetia : Per Pietro de Nicolini da Sabbio, ad instantia di Marchione Sessa, M.D.LI [1551] -- Regole generali di architettura di Sabastiano Serlio Bolognese ... In Venetia : Per Pietro de Nicolini da Sabbio, ad instantia di Marchione Sessa, MDLI [1551] -- Quinto libro d'architettura, di Sabastiano Serlio Bolognese ... In Venetia : Per Pietro de Nicolini de Sabbio, ad instantia di Melchione Sessa, MDLI [1551] -- Extraordinario libro di architettura di Sebastiano Serlio ... In Lione : Per Giovan di Tournes, M.D.LI. [1551].
Library c. 2: bound (1) with: Il terzo libro di Sabastiano Serlio Bolognese ... In Venetia : Impresso per Francesco Marcolini ... , M.D.XLIIII [1544] -- Regole generali di architettura di Sabastiano Serlio Bolognese ... In Venetia : Impresso per Francesco Marcolini ... , M.D.XLIIII [1544] -- Quinto libro d'architettura, di Sabastiano Serlio Bolognese ... In Venetia : Per Pietro de Nicolini de Sabbio, ad instantia di Melchione Sessa, MDLI [1551] -- Regola di far perfettamente col compasso la voluta et del capitello ionico ... / per Iosephe Salviati ... In Venetia : Per Francesco Marcolini, MDLII [1552].
Library c. 3: bound (2) with: Libro primo d'architettura di Sebastiano Serlio Bolognese ... In Venetia : Appresso Gio. Battista et Marchio Sessa fratelli, [1560].

Summary:

First and second books in a series of seven vernacular Renaissance architectural treatises by Sebastiano Serlio. Serlio's great contribution was that his books were the first to present architectural theory in the form of a professional manual, specifically geared to needs of architectus, builders, and craftsmen. He was also one of the first to use high-quality illustrations to explain his text.

Subject:

Geometry Early works to 1800.
Perspective Early works to 1800.
Architecture Early works to 1800.
Géométrie Ouvrages avant 1800.
Perspective Ouvrages avant 1800.
Architecture Ouvrages avant 1800.
Architecture.
Geometry.
Perspective.

Form/genre:

Treatises.
Woodcuts.
Renaissance architectural treatises.
Early works.

Added entries:

Sessa, Melchiorre, active 1546-1600, publisher.
Nicolini da Sabbio, Cornelio, active 1546-1560, printer.
Serlio, Sebastiano, 1475-1554. Secondo libro di perspettiva.
Primo libro d'architettura.
Secondo libro d'architettura.
Provenance. Laws, H. H. (Horace Herbert) Autograph.
Autographs. Laws, H. H. (Horace Herbert)
Provenance. Laws, Peter, F.R.I.C.S. Autograph.
Autographs. Laws, Peter, F.R.I.C.S.
Provenance. Bailey, Thomas Jerram, 1843-1910. Bookplate.
Bookplates. Bailey, Thomas Jerram, 1843-1910.
Presentation copies. Roper, Frederick William, 1840-1910. Inscription.
Autographs. Roper, Frederick William, 1840-1910.

Holdings:

Location: Library cage m 30267
Call No.: NA44.S485.A74 1551
Copy: c. 1
Status: Available

Location: Library cage m 211822
Call No.: NA44.S485.A74 1560
Copy: c. 1
Status: Available

Location: Library cage m 211727
Call No.: NA44.S485.A74 1551
Copy: c. 2
Status: Available