Ricciardetto di Niccolò Carteromaco de Forteguerri, Niccolò, 1674-1735] Zucchi, Francesco, 1692-1764, illustrator - 1738

In Parigi [i.e. Venice], A Spese di Francesco Pitteri Libraio Viniziano. MDCCXXXVIII [1738]. First Edition. Hard Cover. Two quarto volumes: xxxvi, 420 p., portrait front. (a-c4, d6, A-Bb8, Cc10); 1 leaf, 412 p. (1 leaf, A-Z8, Aa10, Bb-Dd4). Engraved cuts on title-pages and at heads & ends of cantos by F. Zucchi (Francesco Zucchi, 1692-1764, Venetian) after G. Ghedini. Title-page in red & black. Vol. 2 has half-title only. Index at end of vol. 2. First edition of the classic Italian burlesque of the eighteenth century. Forteguerri, a native of Pistoia in Tuscany, was a civilian official in the Papal Court. These thirty canti in ottava rima pillory members of the Curia, women, and all levels of society. Published a few years after the author's death, the Ricciardetto went through a number of editions. Gamba 2241; Parenti, Luoghi Falsi 160-161; Brunet I: 1604. NUC 178: 451 (NF 0252417) lists 6 copies. Handsomely printed, and handsomely rebound by Dragonfly Bindery, George & Pat Sargent, in marbled paper boards and leather spines. Condition: dampstains ca. 1 cm. in gutter where original spine was wet (there was probably a fire and the spines were lightly but sufficiently sprayed). First three & last three leaves in both volumes slightly soiled. Some irregular rust marks from impurities in the water when the paper was made. Early signature of Chas. Kirkpatrick Shape on covers of both volumes; heraldic emblem in vol. 1. Gamba, 2241 Stock#OB315.