Beschreibung:

ANDREINI, Giovanni Battista L'Adamo. Sacra rapresentatione . Milan: Geronimo Bordoni, 1613. 4°. Etched-title vignette and 44 etchings in text by Ceasare Bassani after Carlo Procaccini. (Title restored at margins, margins of text rather heavily soiled, without portrait of the author.) Recent marbled boards backed in crimson morocco, gilt panelled spine. Provenance : Pietro Ginori Conti (bookplate). FIRST EDITION. Dedicated to Maria de Medici, Queen of France, this beautifully-illustrated verse drama in 5 acts is described by Vinciana as "le opere più significative del teatro secentesco". The author was the son of Francesco and Isabella Andreini, the most famous actors of their age. According to popular belief Milton saw the play during his travels in Italy, which then had its influence the writing of Paradise Lost . Sander notes that some copies also contain a portrait of the author (not present here or the BL copy). BL 17th-Century Italian I, p. 32; Brunet I, 269; Cicognara 1423; Sander 6381; Vinciana 4125.