Alessandro Piccolomini. PIENA, ET LARGA PARAFRASE, DI M. ALESSANDRO PICCOLOMINI, NEL TERZO LIBRO DELLA RETORICA D'ARISTOTELE, A' THEODETTE. Venetia: Per Giovanni Varisco, & compagni, 1572. 4to; *4 A-4D4; [8], 582, [2]pp. Roman type; text in Italian. Limp vellum, manuscript title on spine, all edges stained. Printer's device on title page and colophon verso, with printed marginalia. USTC 848353; Edit16 40402.

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

Alessandro Piccolomini (Siena, 1508-1579) was a humanist and astronomer who wrote a well-known commentary on Aristotle's Poetics, as well as a paraphrase with commentary of each of the three books of his Rhetoric. This title focuses on the third book which addresses speech in terms of style and the organization of words.

Vellum with expected discoloration, area of grime on back cover, several small wormholes and tiny losses at spine and joints, slight separation from textblock at head, lacking ties; insect damage at endpapers especially paste-down and hinges, occasional minor edge or corner loss, and light grime; mostly light toning throughout but several gatherings with heavy toning; last gathering with light damp staining; repair at 4D1 and colophon. An overall good and sturdy copy of this important commentary.