PLATINA (Bartholomeo Sacchi dit).

Vitae pontificum. S.l.n.d. [at colophon]: Nuremberg, Anton Koberger, August 1481. Gothic folio, brown calf, cold-stamped on ais, boards decorated with a double border with floral decoration and a central panel with repetitive decoration, remains of chased brass clasps, chased brass spandrels and central stock, author's name stamped at the top of the first board, spine with large nerves (Binding of the period). HC, 13047. - GW, M33881. - Goff, P-769. Second edition of this Life of the Holy Pontiffs, originally published in 1479 in Venice. Printed in gothic type on two columns, it came from the presses of Koberger, one of the greatest typographers of the 15th century. The Lombard humanist Bartolomeo Sacchi, known as Platina (1421-1481), was the librarian of the Vatican under Sixtus IV. We owe him, in addition to this work which ensured his fame, a very sought-after cookbook. A RUBRIC COPY, WITH SEVERAL INITIALS PAINTED IN RED AND BLUE, DECORATED WITH A LARGE AND BEAUTIFUL INITIAL N ILLUMINATED ON A LIQUID GOLD BACKGROUND. IT IS PRESERVED IN ITS REMARKABLE GERMANIC COLD-STAMPED BINDING. Numerous annotations in pen. Wet stamp at the bottom of the second leaf. Marginal staining to a few leaves, worm holes throughout the volume, 7 blank leaves formerly added at the end. Hinges cracked, seams visible on spine, head and spine ends restored. Missing a spine on the second plate.