An interesting copy of Mirandola’s collection of Latin poetry, with a long poetic Latin inscription by a poetess. Duodecimo. Bound in yellow-stained vellum, remains of leather clasps, the initials “JB” stamped around a thistle to each cover. Long poetic inscription to front free endpaper:
“Mitto poetarum tibi dulcis Bardule flores
Omine quo coeptus floridus annus eat …
Floreat hoc lecto tibi vena poetica libro
Interq[ue] illustres ipse poeta cluas
Interme patremq[ue] tuum florentis, et inter
Te meq[ue], hos flores pignus amoris habe”.
About a good copy, loss to the vellum on the spine, title page dusty and worn, the remainder of the contents well used, with wear. P1 detached.
PROVENANCE: James Baird (1588-1655), his initials stamped to the covers. Likely given to him by his wife Beatrix ‘Bethia’ Baird (née Dempster), based on the first and last lines of the poem to the front free endpaper, thence by descent to; Sir William Baird of Newbyth (1654-1737), his bookplate to front pastedown.
Illustrium Poetarum Flores
Author
Ottoviano Mirandola
Publisher
Frankfurt: Johann Theobald Schoenwetter
Date
1602