THE MEDICI

[London;] New York: [John Murray for] E.P. Dutton and Company, [1909] 1913. 2 volumes. Early issue of the English sheets with Dutton signified on the title page for the American market. With over 100 illustrations, 2 folding geneological charts. Thick 8vo, publisher’s original dark green cloth lettered in gilt on the spines and decorated in gilt and colours with the Medici coat of arms on the upper covers, the English binding with “Dutton” on the foot of the spine. xxix, 538; xii, 576 pp. A clean, bright and handsome set with just some very light age mellowing to the cloth and text-blocks as would be expected. SCARCE SET OF THIS IMPORTANT WORK ON THE MEDICI. Considered the foremost biography of the Medicis, this is the first history of the whole family, rather than one dealing with only the very famous or infamous members. Leaders of the city-states of Italy, they were merchants, warriors and patrons of some of the most famous and influential artists of all time. The powerful Medici family shaped not only the history of Italy, but the history of the world. They lie at the very center of all cause to the flowering of the Renaissance.