“KNIGHTS, LADIES, AND BLAZONS OF THE DAYS OF CHIVALRY”

FERRARIO, Giulio. Storia ed Analisi degli Antichi Romanzi di Cavalleria e dei Poemi Romanzeschi d'Italia, con Cerimonie de' Cavalieri, sulle Corti d'Amore. Milano: Tipografia dell'Autore, 1828-29. Four volumes. Octavo, contemporary half green calf gilt, marbled boards. $850.

First edition of this history of ancient arms and armor and chivalrous etiquette, by one of the great producers of books on period costumes and architecture, with 40 aquatints by Angelo Biasioli (some folded under at fore-edges) and three folding genealogical charts.

Ferrario goes far beyond providing a mere history of armor, as he includes important historical, archeological, and iconographical material, as well as a literary documentation of chivalrous behavior. The wonderful full-page monochromatic aquatints by Biasioli depict not only weapons and armor, but also military and courtly horsemanship and strategic maneuvers. Volume IV appeared in 1829 under the title Bibliografia dei Romanzi e Poemi Romanzeschi d'Italia, compiled by Gaetano Melzi as a companion volume. Hiler, 311. Brunet II:1233. Graesse II:571.

Inner hinges starting (but entirely functional), paper repairs to two title pages (not affecting text), modest rubbing to contemporary boards. An extremely good copy.