De oboedientia.
Naples, Mathias Moravus 1490.
4to (201 x 161 mm.). [ii blank], [iv], [198], [2 blank]p. Roman type, blank initial spaces.
Recent blind-ruled green reversed calf (faded), blind-ruled spine, seven of eight thin leather ties.
First Edition. Written in the early 1470s, this treatise by the Neapolitan humanist addresses obedience in all its forms, considering what is owed to various authorities — parents, princes, employers, spouses, the elderly and even Reason itself. On Obedience is dedicated to Roberto Sanseverino, Prince of Salerno. His son and successor Antonello (1458-99) led the ill-fated conspiracy with Charles VIII of France to invade Naples between this work’s composition and its printing.
Pontano worked exclusively with Moravus from 1481 until the printer ceased operation in 1492. A bright copy, scattered reader’s marks and underlining; signature of bookseller Giuseppe Martini (1870-1944), bookplates of Swiss collector Sergio Colombi (1887-1972) and of Italian collector Libero Marzetto (1906-93).
¶Fava & Bresciano, La Stampa a Napoli nel XV secolo II: 145; ISTC ip00920000; Goff P-920.
Price: $22,000.00