GIOVIO, PAOLO. 1483-1552.

Elogia virorum bellica virtute illustrium. Basel: Pietro Perna, 1575.

Elogia virorum bellica virtute illustrium. Basel: Pietro Perna, 1575.
Folio (334 x 230 mm). Title within woodcut border, woodcut portrait of Giovio and 128 woodcut portraits by Tobias Stimmer, all within architectural borders, 10 empty borders, woodcut initials. Modern vellum tooled in gilt to panel design, some worming to margins, a few holes with paper repairs, dampstaining at upper corner towards rear, occasional toning and foxing.

FIRST ILLUSTRATED EDITION of this series of woodcut portraits and biographical sketches of prominent rulers, military leaders and explorers. The woodcut portraits by Tobias Stimmer were made after paintings in Giovio's own portrait gallery at his home in Como. Includes portraits of Tamerlane, Cosimo de' Medici, Columbus, Henry VIII, François I, Hernán Cortés, and Charles V. A CRISP, ATTRACTIVE COPY. Adams G-644; Atabey 502; Sabin 36773.