MATTIOLI, Pietro Andrea (1501-c.1577) and DIOSCORIDES (c.40-90). I Discorsi … ne i sei libri di Pedacio Dioscoride Anazarbeo della Material Medicinale. Venice: Vincenzo Valgrisi, 1563.

Italian edition of Mattioli's famous illustrated herbal, in contemporary Italian blindstamped calf for a cardinal. Although ostensible a commentary on the work of the ancient physician Dioscorides, Mattioli's contribution to botany went far beyond the merely exegetical. His work played an important role in the identification of plants from differing traditions, and the text was updated throughout his lifetime and printed many times. Valgrisi himself issued a number of editions in both Latin and Italian. This is the third appearance of the celebrated suite of intermediate-sized woodcuts by Giorgio Liberali and Wolfgang Meyerpeck, augmented by 133 new cuts first prepared for the 1558 edition, including a mummy. These woodcuts were the models for the larger series by the same artists and extremely influential on other herbals. This copy is bound for an unidentified Italian cardinal, with the author's name gilt stamped on the boards. For another book from the same collection (and same binder), see lot 15. Pritzel 5987.

Folio (323 x 215mm). Woodcut device on title and final page, 703 woodcut illustrations throughout (scattered worming in text, some spotting and dustsoiling, two leaves with closed tears in margin just touching text, occasional damp marks). Contemporary Italian blindstamped calf with bosses, clasps, and straps; title stamped in gilt on spine and manuscript fore-edge title (straps repaired, a little worn at extremities). Provenance: cardinal’s arms with initials "M.G.C.A" painted on title.