RABELAIS, François. MARLIANI (J.B.) Topographia... Lot 11

[RABELAIS, François]. MARLIANI (J.B.) Topographia antiqae romae. Lyon, Sébastien Gryphe, 1534. Bound with: MELANCHTON, Philippe. M. Tulli Ciceronis Orationes. Paris, Christian Wechel, 1534. 2 works in 1 volume in-8 (170 x 110 mm) of [8], 313, [15] pp. ; 91 pp. Tan calf, boards decorated with a cold-engraved plate decorated with acorns, chimeras and flowers, signed "Jehan Norins" (sic for Norvins) in a double frame of cold fillets, four-ribbed spine decorated with cold fillets, parchment lining, traces of laces (period binding). Second edition of Marliani's work which appeared the same year in Rome at Antonio Blado's, and original edition of the epistle of Rabelais which makes this edition so important. Brunet (III, 1437) insists on this point: "This Lyon edition has for us a particular interest, because one finds there a very curious Latin preface [...]. Rabelais expresses there his gratitude to Jean du Bellay, under the patronage of whom he traversed Italy, and visited the wonders of Rome; he gives an account of the researches in various kinds which he made in this country, and of the reasons which he had to make reprint the work of Marliani". Rabelais accompanied Cardinal Du Bellay to Rome from January to May 1534, where he dealt with botany (he brought back to France the melon, the artichoke and the carnation) and topography. It was he who edited this second edition of Marliani's topography of Rome. Deschamps in the supplement (I, 951) of the Brunet indicates: "Sought after because of the preface of Rabelais; M. Brunet does not quote an auction". He lists only one copy in 19th century morocco (Taschereau) and Tchémerzine (V, 322) does not list any. A very fine copy of this rare work, bound in an interesting and beautiful plate binding by Jean Norvins, a bookbinder who practiced in Paris in the years 1520-1540. Probably of Flemish manufacture, it was used in the first half of the 16th century in other countries, notably Germany and Italy. Several examples of this type have been recorded. See notably Mirjam Foot (Henry Davis Gift catalog, vol. III, no. 11), Goldschmidt (pl. XLIX), Gruel (Manuel de reliure, vol. I, p. 137). Illegible wet stamp on title. Discrete old restorations to the binding and some light rubbing. Old inscription in ink Romae descriptio in the upper part of the gutter. Some stains and marginal wetness.