FIRST ITALIAN TRANSLATION

(MAGNUS, OLAUS).

Storia d'Olao Magno, arcivescovo d'Upsali, de costumi de popoli settentrionali.

Venice, Bindoni, 1561.

8vo. In later half calf with four raise bands and gilt lettering to spine. Light wear to binding. Traces from old label on verso of front board. Lower margin of title-page with closed tear. Dampstain to lower and upper margin of first leaves. Upper margin closely trimmed, text not affected. (44), 511 pp.

First Italian edition of Magnus' great work, which constitutes the first larger geographical-ethnographical description of Scandinavia and one of the most important sources on the customs of the Northern peoples and daily life in the 16th century.

"Olaus Magnus (1490-1557) was the last Catholic archbishop of Sweden, which he left in 1524. This book is still one of the most importent sources on Northern customs and daily life of the time. The artist of the wood-cuts is unknown but most of them are made after drawings by the author. 13 editions were published in 16th century and several in the following, comprising translations into Dutch, French, German, Italian and lastly into Swedish. The history was intended to expand the information in the large map, "Carta marina", which Olaus Magnus published in venice in 1539, and of which only one copy was known, until a second was discovered in 1962 and acquired by the University Library of Upsala." (Swedish Books 1280-1967, no.18).
Collijn 2, pp. 221-7.

Order-nr.: 63060