De Architectura

Amsterdam: Elzevir, 1649. Full vellum. Very Good. An illustrated edition of Vitruvius, edited by Joannes de Laet (1582-1649), an historian, geographer, merchant and director of the Dutch East India Company. Among the other archityectural wqorks itr contains is the first edition in Latin of Sir Henry Wotton's "Elements of Architecture", first published in English in 1624 and here in Laet's translation. (311 x 205 mm). Additional engraved title, 26 woodcut illustrations and one full block repeated three times, woodcut iniials and head and tailpieces. Some light browning and staining, a few marginal tears. Contemporary Dutch vellum (vellum split along uppewr jhoints, coveres slightly bowing). Provenance: Robert Ord (earlyu owner's name on preliminary blank); John Ord (armorial bookplate). (Brunet V:1328; Cicognara 726; Fowler 417; RIBA 3500).