Filippo Bonanni. ORDINUM EQUESTRIUM ET MILITARIUM CATALOGUS IN IMAGINIBUS EXPOSITUS & CUM BREVI NARRATIONE. Rome: Giorgio Placho, 1711. First edition. Full vellum, with raised bands and manuscript title on spine. 4to; 166 total plates including 141 full-page costume plates and 23 plates of medals, decorations, and insignia. Latin and Italian text in parallel columns. Engraved frontispiece, both Latin and Italian title pages, with index, and woodcut initials and ornaments. Grässe 1/480.

9 3/4 x 8 in.

From the Collection of Professor Roberto Severino, Washington, D.C.

Filippo Bonanni (Rome, 1638-1723) was a scholar, librarian, curator, naturalist, professor, and a man of many talents and interests. He was a founding father of conchology (the study of shells), and wrote numerous studies on topics including lacquer, musical instruments, and coins. In Ordinum equestrium, et militarium catalogus, Bonanni presents the military and religious costumes from all over Europe.

Vellum with typical discoloration and light wear, sticker remains on tail of spine; manuscript and sticker on front endpaper; expected offsetting, occasional residue, light grime, minor loss or edge tear, stamps on one title page; several small repairs with larger repairs to frontispiece and one plate; toning and foxing throughout; a very good copy of this first edition.