EVANGELISTA MARCELLINO

LORENZO SELVA (a.k.a. EVANGELISTA MARCELLINO). Della metamorfosi cioè trasformazione del virtuoso libri quattro.

Florence, Nella Stamperia de’ Giunti, 1583.

 

 

 

£ 1,000

 

8vo, 331, [xiii], †8 A-V8 X4. Italic letter, a little Roman. T-p with small vignette of Florentine lily and between two putti; same vignette on verso of last leaf with additional motto in cartouche: “in domino confido”. Decorated initials, small tailpieces. Some browning and occasional spotting throughout, especially on initial and final leaves. Rebound in 19th century vellum over boards, visible ties, gilt spine with labels. Blue marine pastedowns, orange silk bookmark. Bookseller’s label on front pastedown: “Libreria di Luigi de Romanis, Piazza di Sciarra sul Corso, N° 319” (Rome).

 

Evangelista Marcellino (1530-1593) was a Franciscan monk and writer. He was born in San Marcello Pistoiese as Lorenzo Gerbi. In his early works, he further used the pseudonym of Lorenzo Selva. This book contains a rare novel, of which only five copies are recorded in Italian public libraries. According to Passano (I, 364): “this book, which was originally published under the pseudonym of Lorenzo Selva is a remarkable novel on the style of Fiorenzuola.“

 

Bibliography: BMSTC.