1139 - GEVARTIUS, Casparius Pompa introitus [...] of Ferdinand of Austria, Infante of Spain [...]. Antwerp, Th. van Thulden (colorist: J. Meursius), 1641. Folio: [12, including engraved title page]–189–[13] pp.; 42 (of 43) plates (plate 6 missing, 1 plate replaced, some marginal soiling with occasional small tears, some stains, some spotting or mold throughout, some folios cut slightly shorter, some creases, some edges reinforced with Japanese paper, some creases). Contemporary vellum, gilt central ornament within a double gilt-ruled frame with corner pieces on the boards, spine with raised bands (soiled, some minor losses to edges and corners, endpapers partially reinforced). Magnificent publication on the Entry into Antwerp of the Spanish Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand in 1635. Production was delayed due to financial problems and the eventual death of a major collaborator (Rubens, May 1640), and was nearly halted by the death of Ferdinand himself (November 1641). The edition has a number of variants, as described by Arents. This copy includes the half-title (7 ll., Arents a) and the rare equestrian portrait of Ferdinand by P. Pontius (printed for only 200 deluxe copies). Illustrated with 42 engravings on 37 full- or double-page or folding plates by Th. van Thulden after Rubens, depicting the arches and stages built and the paintings adorning them, a lovely view of Antwerp Cathedral, a large bird’s-eye view of the city of Antwerp, and 1 very large folding plate (approx. 56 x 220 cm) with 6 engravings showing the triumphal arch of the 12 emperors (numbered 17–22; in most copies, 3 engravings on 2 plates). All plates are bound after the half-title. All plates, except the engraved title page and the equestrian portrait, are numbered within the plate (3–43); there are also 47 small engravings in the text (coins and medals). The engraved title page (without the name of the engraver Jac. Neeffs) shows the original imprint (Arents a); the colophon bears the intended date 1641 (and not the exact date “1642”). Ref. Arents, “Pompa Introitus Ferdinandi. Bijdrage tot de Rubensbibliografie” in: De Gulden Passer. 27 (1949), pp. 81–348. - BB III:193–196:G-370. - Landwehr (Splendid ceremonies) 99. - Judson/VdVelde (Rubens) 81. - STCV. Contemporary provenance: a gift to the guild of “cool ende torf-draegers” (handwritten entry on the half-title page, followed by another note listing some details about the guild). - An ordinance dated March 20, 1714, relating to the same guild, pasted on the front endpaper.