Le Ville lucchesi con altri opuscoli in versi e in prosa
di Filandro Cretense.
Parma, Stamperia Reale, 1783.
[with:] Versi per la promozione al vescovato di Piacenza del pa
First editions. Two works in one volume, 8vo (200 x 140 mm), pp. [ii], [viii], 195, text printed within decorative border throughout, page numbers also set in a typographical surround, the text block small within a large page, followed by Versi: pp. 24, unpressed throughout, with a small hole to the lower blank margin of the first three leaves, traces of adhesive to lower edge of pp. 97-114, in contemporary block-stamped paste-paper boards in olive green with pattern of black and gold squares, the surface of the paper worn at extremities, binding very slightly sprung, contemporary manuscript shelf mark in ink on the rear pastedown and with contemporary manuscript additions to the errata of the first work, possibly in the same hand.
A delightful production by Bodoni, with the text printed within lovely typographical borders throughout and bound in thick block-stamped paper boards. It is a collection of texts by Antonio Cerati, a member of the Accademia dell’Arcadia. The first and best of the two works is a poetic celebration of the villas belonging to the Marchese Francesco Buonvisi in Lucca, where he had resided for some time to recover from an illness - an interesting example of eighteenth century Italian topographical poetry. The second part, which is addressed to specific dedicatees, moves from love poetry to political commentary.
The second work, printed by Filippo Carmignani in Parma, is a poem celebrating the promotion of Cerati’s brother to the bishopric of Piacenza.
I. Brooks 239, var. A; Cerati VIII, 195.
II. OCLC lists three copies, only Getty in America.