Lot 08031

PETRA SANCTA Silvestrer (PIETRASANTA), “De Symbolis Heroicis Libri IX. Autore Silvestro Petrasancta Romano”, Antwerp, ex officina Plantiniana Baltharis Moreti, 1634. Large 8vo, pp. lxxx, 480, [35]. Engraved title page designed by Paul Rubens with central figures of the four-breasted Diana and Mercury who symbolizes art. Engraved portrait of Cardinal Aloysius Carafa, 8 full-page engravings of arms and genealogies including the Carafa coat of arm and 281 in-text finely engraved emblems.

Ex-libris label on paste-down. Contemporary full calf with extensive rubbing, joints partly cracked but still firm, loss of spine’s extremities. Interior with just light spotting on first and last leaves, otherwise almost all engravings inside clean and in Fine condition.

First edition of this famous emblems book (reprinted 4 years later), prepared by the Italian Jesuit priest, and heraldist Silvester Petra Sancta, illustrated with nearly 300 impressive engravings.

Brunet IV 572.