LABIA, Carlo.   HORTO SIMBOLICO   Che Con Gieroglifici de varii Alberi, e diuerse Piante rappresenta le Virtu singulari d'alcuni Santi, e Molte Sante...     &nbspVenice: Nicolo Pezzana,   1700.          First edition. A rare emblem book equating the virtues of 50 saints with the characteristics of specific plants, trees and shrubs. Of interest for both the quality of the finely engraved emblems and the erudite floral symbolism connecting the virtues of saints to those of individual flowers. The frontispiece, engraved title and printed title vignette are all signed by Isabella Piccini, a Venetian nun who illustrated many similar works. The remaining emblems are not signed but may be presumed to also be the work of Piccini, who was among the most notable female Italian artists of the period. The work is rare, with OCLC locating only the V&A and University of Utrecht copies. The Italian union catalogue (ICCU) locates only two additional copies.   Folio (31.4 x 21.4 cm); engraved portrait frontispiece, engraved decorative title; engraved title vignette on letterpress title; (x) + 594 + (xii) pp. with decorative initials and decorative tail piece devices and 50 emblematic engravings of plants at the head of each section, each measuring approximately 12 x 14.5 cm.   Landwehr 425; Praz, "A Bibliography of Emblem Books" pp. 392-393.          Contemporary full leather, gilt tooled spine panels, gilt tooled spine label (possibly a bit later); old scuffing to leather, corners skillfully restored. $4,000.00

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