214 - OLAUS MAGNUS. *Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus, earumque diversis statibus, conditionibus, moribus, ritibus, superstitionibus* […]. Rome, Giovanni Maria Viotti, 1555. Folio, speckled calfskin, double blind-stamped raised bands, black title label on the spine, red edges (18th-century binding).

OLAUS MAGNUS. *Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus, earumque diversis statibus, conditionibus, moribus, ritibus, superstitionibus* […]. Rome, Giovanni Maria Viotti, 1555. Folio, speckled calfskin, double blind-stamped raised bands, black title label on the spine, red edges (18th-century binding). A very rare first edition of this history of the northern peoples, illustrated with over 400 woodcuts and a map of Scandinavia. Olaus Magnus (1490–1557), a learned Swedish prelate, had been appointed Archbishop of Uppsala but lived in exile in Italy. At the time, his book was one of the most valuable sources of knowledge about the northern regions of Europe, their climate, and the customs of their inhabitants (folklore, superstitions, traditional dress, trade, etc.). Several engravings depict hunting and fishing and show the wild animals of these regions (see Thiébaud, col. 692–693). Engraved bookplate bearing the coat of arms of Léonce Dupont de St Ouen. Part of folio d1 is missing; the missing text has been carefully recopied in pen. Restoration work on several leaves: E6 (loss of a few letters), section I, M6, O4, P5, MM4, RR4 (loss of text and damage to the wood on the reverse), XX1, AAA4, SSS2, and SSS5. The last leaf has been lined. Grease stains on the vignettes on pp. 642–643. Hinges and caps restored; modern title label; lining and endpapers replaced. Appraiser: Mr. Dominique Courvoisier