DE VICTU ROMANORUM ET DE SANITATE TUENDA LIBRI QUINQUE. His accessere libelli duo De Aluo sine medicamentis mollienda. by Petronio, Alessandro Traiano (Alexander Trajanus Petronius).: - 1581

Rome, in aedibus Populi Romani, 1581.. FIRST EDITION 1581 (colophon dated 1582), Latin text, small folio in fours, approximately 315 x 210 mm, 12½ x 7¾ inches, small woodcut printer's device on front and rear endpapers, the large armorial device of Pope Gregory XIII on title page, whose personal doctor was the author of this work, another small pictorial woodcut on colophon, pages: 340, (23 - index & colophon), "De aluo sine medicamentis mollienda" has separate title page dated 1582, with woodcut device, but signatures and pagination are continuous. Handsomely rebound by Josep Cambras in full burgundy morocco, panelled decoratively on both covers with delicate blind stamping and small gilt ornaments at the corners, raised bands to spine with blind ornaments in compartments, and gilt lettering with gilt date at foot, pages not trimmed, elaborate gilt inner dentelles, marbled endpapers and 2 extra blanks before the original endpapers. Extreme fore-edge expertly strengthened on original endpapers, title page, A2 and 3, and all of YY, small light stain on text of page 48, no loss of legibility, tiny worm track to upper margin of pages 311-320, repaired almost invisibly, brief pale ink marginalia to 9 pages (168-203). A very good clean copy, housed in a matching fine slipcase from the same binder. Petronio (d.1585) describes the kitchen, table manners and dishes of the Romans with a detailed chapter on wine-making and the pleasures of wine. He is also interested their health and diseases. Oberle, Les Fastes de Bacchus et de Comus, page 6, No.68; Vicaire, Bibliographie Gastronomique, 680; Simon, Bibliotheca Gastronomica page 111, No.1158; Bitting, Gastronomic Bibliography, page 368. The bookbinder Josep Cambras is professor of Bookbinding at the Arts & Crafts School of Barcelona and a well-known bookbinding artist. His book bindings are in public and private libraries around the world and he frequently gives lectures and demonstrations throughout Europe and North America. MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE, FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.