Jacopo Sannazaro. ARCADIA DEL SANNAZARO. Venice: nelle case D'Aldo Romano, September 1514. First and only Aldine edition. Limp vellum. 8vo; A-L9; ff. 89 (missing final leaf; blank with Aldine device on verso). Title page with Aldine Press anchor and dolphin device. Italic type; text in Italian. Edit16 36176; USTC 854616.

5 3/4 x 3 3/4 in.

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

Jacopo Sannazaro (Naples, 1458-1530) was an important Italian Renaissance poet. His Arcadia, written during the second to last decade of the 15th century and first published in 1504, is an example of pastoral poetry. Its combination of prose and verse was incredibly influential for writers in the following decades and centuries, such as William Shakespeare. Originally written in Italian rather than in Latin, Arcadia was a huge success in Italy. This success, and Sannazaro's overall importance, are reflected in his portrait by the Venetian artist Titian (Royal Collection, ca. 1514-1518) whose paintings were frequently inspired by pastoral poetry.

The Aldine Press, started by Aldus Manutius in the late 15th century, is best known for publishing classics such as the works of Plato and other ancient Greek and Roman scholars and philosophers, as well as modern books such as Arcadia. It influenced book history in terms of format, typeface, and font. This edition of Arcadia was one of the last books published by the press while it was still run by Manutius who died in 1515.

Expected wear to vellum with warping and typical discoloration; interior with light foxing and toning, occasional small stain and marginalia; negligible wormhole on (1) page, light damp stains through several signatures, small hole in several early pages, occasional tiny chips and tears, and light creases or folds; an overall very good copy.