ABELA Giovanni Francesco, “Della descrittione di Malta, Isola nel Mare Siciliano con le sue Antichita, ed altre Notitie Libri Quattro. Del Commendatore Fragio: Fransesco Abela Vicceancelliere della Sacra ed Eminentissima Religione Gierosolimitana”, Malta, Per Paolo Bonacota, 1647. Folio (30x22cm), pp. [16], 573, [19].

FIRST EDITION OF ONE OF THE FIRST HISTORICAL WORKS PRINTED IN MALTA.

COMPLETE including an engraved title page, one double-page engraved map, one engraved bird’s eye view of the old city of Malta and 28 engraved illustrations in the text. Printer’s vignette on title page. Dedication to Giovanni Paolo Lascaris by the author dated Valletta, 10 July 1647.

The Maltese noble and antiquarian collector Giovanni Francesco Abela is considered one of the first Maltese historians. He has conducted important investigations on Malta’s history, and acquired significant artifacts enriching his collection that he housed in his home that was converted to the first historical museum in Malta (many artefacts from his collection are now exhibited in Maltas National Museum of Archaeology). In the current work he outlines this idea of establishing a Maltese national museum.

Full vellum, gilt label on spine, lightly soiled, three small holes on spine. Spotting and light damp-staining inside. Tear in upper part of pp.249.

Brunet I 11