GIOVIO, Paolo (1483-1552). Le iscrittioni poste sotto le vere imagini de gli huomini famosi; le Which à Como in the Museo del Giouio are seen. Florence: Torrentino, 1552 (colophon: 1551). First Italian edition of what may be considered one of the first ante litteram exhibition catalogues. It was Giovio who was the originator of the term 'museum' in the context in which it is used today: he had an antique-style villa built on Lake Como specifically to house his portrait collection. 4to, (225 x 144 mm). Title-page within elaborate architectural border, numerous woodcut inititals, internally fresh copy (damsptaining to upper margin of first few leaves, small tear to title not touching engraving, gathering i slightly trimmed). Contemporary vellum binding, title lettered to spine in manuscript (some wear). (1)

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