LANDINUS, Christophoros (1424-1498). Disputationum Camaldulensium libri IV. [Florence: Nicolaus Laurentii, Alamanus, about 1480.]

First edition of one of the Florentine humanist's best-known works after his Virgil and Dante commentaries; opening text page finely illuminated. This copy bears the coat of arms of the noble Salviati family of Florence. Jacopo Salviati (1461-1533) married Lucrezia de' Medici on 10 September 1486, making him the son-in-law of Lorenzo. Completed in 1472, Landino's dialogue covers the nature of the best life, the highest good, and his famous allegorical interpretation of Virgil’s Aeneid. It was printed six times between 1480 and 1511, after which only Books III and IV were printed. Set in the monastery at Camaldoli, the main characters are Leon Battista Alberti and Lorenzo de’ Medici. They may be taken as stand-ins for Landino himself as their arguments mirror and develop topics previously discussed in his other writings. See Bruce McNair Cristoforo Landino: His Works and Thought, pp.94-95. Goff L-37; BMC VI 627; GW M15839; HC *9852; Bod-Ink L-029; ISTC il00037000.

Royal quarto (270 x 190mm). 132 leaves. Text opening printed in red and black with an illuminated initial "E" in burnished gold with white-vine decoration extending the height of the page, first pages of books 2-4 rubricated in blue, with first page of book 2 also printed in red and black. (Occasional spotting, e4 with small stain obscuring a few words.) Modern full brown levant morocco, tooled in blind, spine titled in gilt, edges gilt. Provenance: early marginalia – Salviati family of Florence (illuminated armorial) – C.S. Ascherson (bookplate) – Phyllis Goodhart Gordan (1913–1994; leather label); by descent.