Search Results: Authors starting with M from Patrick Olson Rare Books

UPSTAGED BY THE LEADING LADY --- [8], 80 p. | 8vo | pi4 A-K^4 | 143 x 92 mm --- An early edition of this dramatized hagiography of Saint Alexius of Rome. The 1645 edition is typically considered the first, though the Bibliothèque nationale does report a 1644. Others appeared at least in 1649, 1653, and 1658; another 1661 edition appeared at Troyes; and several more followed through at least 1692. The prolific French playwright might best be known for his sequel to Corneille's Le Cid. His dramatization here follows the traditional Greek legend of the saint, whom he betroths to one Olympie. After receiving a call from the Virgin Mary, Alexis abandons Olympie on their wedding night to pursue a life of Christian devotion. He returns a beggar, remaining incognito even to Olympie. His true identity is discovered only after his death, Olympie joining him shortly thereafter. ¶ The play takes some leaps of logic, which seem to have little bothered the author. "Desfontaines was concerned above all… Read More

SOURCE FOR MIXED RACE MEDICI DUKE | CURIOUS TRADE LABELS? ¶ 2 volumes | v. 1: [3], VI-XI, [1], 635, [1] p. | v. 2: [3], 6-246, 257-555, [1] p. | 246 x 152 mm ¶ These comprise volumes 36 and 37 of the Biblioteca enciclopedica italiana series. Includes indexes and a preface by Achille Mauri. ¶ Bernardo Segni (1504-1558) and Giovanni Battista Adriani (1511-1579) were both Florentine historians. The former composed his Storie fiorentine in the later years of his life, though it wasn't published until 1723, and the latter wrote an Istoria de' suoi tempi posthumously published in 1583. Segni's history provides some details of the life of Alessandro Medici, Duke of Florence, son of a slave girl, murdered in 1537. The present compilation also includes Segni's Vita di Niccolo Capponi. --- CONDITION: Contemporary half vellum and blue pulled paste paper, with a decorative printed panel affixed to each board (one with a lyre, the other bearing a jug); leather labels and some gold tooling to the… Read More