Malta. - Statuta Hospitalis Hierusalem. (Ed. G. B. Rondinelli). (Rom 1588). Fol. (33:23 cm). Mit 19 Kupfertafeln (Titel, Zwischentitel, Porträts) u. 21 blattgr. Textkupfern in wechselnden Holzschnittbordüren. 3 (statt 4) Bll.,  203 S., 1 w. Bl. ('Nova statuta' zwischengebunden; ohne Index materium). Prgt. d. Zt., lädiert, Schließbänder fehlen.

Adams J 151-152; Mortimer 273; Sotheby's, Schäfer Coll. I (Italian Books), 104; Lipperheide Of 3; Hellwald 216; Maps of Malta Add. 1&2. - Erweiterte Ausgabe der Ordensstatuten, wie stets in wechselnden Ausstattungen. Vorliegendes Exemplar gegenüber Los 2807 unserer Auktion 163 mit 2 weiteren Porträts des Großmeisters Hugues de Loubens-Verdale zur Verleihung der Kardinals-Insignien von Hut und Schwert, sowie 1 zusätzlichen Zwischentitel (s. engl. Beschreibung). - Teilweise gebräunt oder mit Wasserfleck, wenig stockfleckig, wenige S. mit kl. Randeinrissen, Innengelenke angebrochen.

Revised edition of the statutes of the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, first published by A. Blado in Rome 1556. The new edition was sumptuously printed on the occasion of Grand Master Hugues de Loubens-Verdale's installation as a cardinal on Dec. 18, 1587. "Comparison of six copies at the British Museum shows an extraordinary variety of settings, states, binding variants, and added copperplates" (Mortimer). The present copy contains 39 engraved illustrations of 40 known and has a total of 125 leaves (Harvard 130, Cambridge 129/130, Schäfer 133, another copy 135). Contents: 1. engr. general title; 2.-4. engr. portraits of Louben-Verdale (1 medallion within historiated border, 2 depicting award of the insignia); 5. engr. divisional title "Effigies Magistrorum Hospitalis" with musicians; 6.-17. 12 engr. plates by Ph. Thomassin with 4 medallion portraits of Grand Masters each; 18. engr. divisional title "Excandido et propinquo" with 12 engr. plates by Ph. Thomassin with heraldic border; 19.-39. The first of a series of 21 full-page engravings on versos of text-leaves (10 verso blanc) within 4 repeated woodcut-borders; main text on p. 1-203 (without 'Index materium...'); 2 leaves 'nova statuta' bound inbetween last quire. Text engravings mostly refer to Loubens-Verdale officiating at various ceremonies, illustration to B5v, however, depicts a fine map of Malta (ca 14:17,5 cm), and on R4v there is a plan of Valletta (ca 18:13,7 cm), both within woodcut borders. - Browning and watermarking in places, slight foxing, some marginal tears, inner hinges cracked but sound.