Verlag: Florence, Francesco Onofri,, 1665
Anbieter: Hünersdorff Rare Books ABA ILAB, London, Vereinigtes Königreich
Hardcover. Zustand: Very Good. No Jacket. 2nd Edition. 4to. 316p including engraved allegorical title by Jacques Callot. 5 fine historiated woodcut initials with martial themes and numerous decorative initials. Contemporary vellum; neatly rebacked. The statutes of the knightly order of St Stephen founded in 1562 by Cosimo de Medici, first grand duke of Tuscany, and including the amendments made under his successors Cosimo II, and Ferdinand II. As Cosimo I had conquered both Florence and later Siena on the eve of St Stephen's day (2nd August), he established a military order in honour of the Saint to employ the new aristocracy of his aggrandized state to defend it against the marauding Barbary pirates. Pope Pius IV willingly agreed to declare the duke grand master of the new order which obliged the knights to protect the Christian faith against the infidel on land and by sea. Its device was a variant of the Maltese Cross worn on a gilt chain. The order won fame under Cosimo II, when its war-galleys captured Bona, the chief port of the Barbary pirates in 1607, and for its defeat of the Turkish fleet in the following year. These victories enhanced the prestige of the duke as grand master, and the rules of the order were printed with great care, and including 24 pages of chapter and subject indexes at the end. The fine engraved title by Jacques Callot shows 4 Turkish prisoners (2 in chains) with trophies of arms and flags; on high 3 allegorical figures representing Justice, Religion, and Force, the figure of Religion carries a shield and flag emblazoned with the arms of the Order - see Lieure 372 (2) & Meaume 428 (2). Edges of right blank title margin a little foxed with traces of wear in tailend corner, otherwise a fresh copy with occasional neat marginal notes in ink in an early hand.