Five 18th-Century Italian books from the library of Francesco Berio, marchese di Salza...
Five 18th-Century Italian books from the library of Francesco Berio, marchese di Salza Comprising Porco, Filippo Storia Dell'Illustrisima Archiconfraternita di Nostra Dama. Messina: Nella. Reg.Officina di D. Michele de'Chiaramonnti, ed Amico, 1741. 8vo, contemporary vellum, spine with contrasting morocco lettering-piece, red and black speckled edges, green silk marker; pp. [8], 131, [1 (Errata); frontis., floriated initial; provenance: Francesco Berio (armorial bookplate upper pastedown) - William, 3rd Viscount Dudley and Ward (armorial bookplate lower pastedown). Minischalci, comte Aloysius Mororum Libri III. Carminum Liber. Veronae: Apud Haeredem Augustini Carattoni Typographum Seminarii, 1769. 8vo, full contemporary vellum, boards with double-blind fillet borders with floral cornerpieces enclosing central blind-blocked lozenge, spine with contrasting morocco lettering piece, red edges, star-patterned endpapers, green silk marker; pp. [6], 186; title with eng. vignette, eng. head- and tail-pieces to three books by Dionigi Valesio after D. Cignaroli, inhabited capitals; provenance: vide supra. Adami, Anton Filippo Prospetto di una Nouva Compilazione Della Storia Fiorentinaï¾Ã‚…Pisa: Per Gio. Paolo Giovannelli, e Compagni, 1758. 8vo, full contemporary vellum, spine with contrasting morocco lettering piece, red and black speckled edges, green silk marker; xxiv, 175, [1]; one folding plate, inhabited initial; provenance: vide supra. Pecorone, Bonifacio Memorie dell' abate D. Bonifacio Pecoroneï¾Ã‚…[Napoli : Nella stamperia nuova di Angelo Vocola a Fontana Medina, 1729]. 8vo, full contemporary vellum, contrasting morocco lettering piece to spine, red and black speckled edges, green silk marker; possibly lacking title, floriated initals, elaborate tail-piece to first part; provenance: vide supra but without bookplate of Ward (though likely from his library). and Dritto della Corona di Napoli sopra Piombino. n.d. but c. 1760 bound with Dritto del re delle Sicilie. 8vo, full vellum, red edges, red star endpapers; provenance: vide supra. Berio was renowned as a man of culture and taste. In 1791, he inherited the title of marchese, along with the famous library and art collection of his father. Francesco added to the library, although his acquisitions for the art collection were of greater significance. In the early 1800s, his literary salons were celebrated, attracting many notable figures including Gabriele Rossetti and Gioacchino Rossino. Berio wrote libretti for several Rossini operas including Otello and Ricciardo and Zoraide. After his death the greater part of the library was sold to William Ward, 3rd Viscount Dudley and Ward.