Tombstone & Monument Inscriptions of Italy

Helmaestadii [Helmstedt]: Typis Iacobi Lucij Transyluani, MDXCII [1592]. 310 by 205mm (12¼ by 8 inches). Folio. [8], 410, [1] ll. Leaves 35–44 have been omitted from the foliation (however, the book is complete). In Latin. Each part has its own title page. Printer’s woodcut device on title page (a female figure holding a book and a torch; in this copy the feet have been carefully cut out). Woodcut head-pieces, tail-pieces, and initials. In four books, with each its own separate title page but foliation is continuous. Colophon on final leaf: ​“Helmstadii Typis Iacobi Lucij Transyluani. Anno MDXCII.” Ink stamp on title page: ​“Franziskaner-Kloster Dettelbach.” Two inscriptions by former owners on the title page: ​“Sum ex libris Marci Franz physices studiosi ao 1652 7 Junii.” The second: Nunc F. Minor: Recoll: [?] Proa conventus Dettelb. 1683.”. Very Good. Bound in limp vellum, with ties (one fully intact, one partially intact, two missing). Handwritten title at head of spine. Some leaves are toned and a little softened; edges of preliminaries slightly frayed, but overall a clean copy.

Only edition of Schrader’s compilation of Italian inscriptions, ​“the first comprehensive collection of Christian inscriptions covering the whole peninsula,” copied and compiled during trips to Italy in 1556 and 1568 (Perez Galvan 50). Schrader was a jurist, antiquarian, philologist, and counselor for the Prince-Archbishop of Osnabruck who was responsible for diplomatic and commercial missions. Though a Protestant, Schrader represented the interests of the Catholic bishops for whom he worked. His connections helped him secure the Prince-Archbishopric of Bremen for Heinrich III, making him the first of several Lutherans to hold that position through the end of the Thirty Years War.

The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on a different region: Rome, Naples, Venice, and Lombardy (“Insubricum”). A table at the beginning provides ancient and (then) modern place names. A description of the region precedes the transcriptions of various monumental inscriptions and epitaphs. Schrader included modern inscriptions as well as ancient ones. This record of inscriptions continues to be an important source for historians, and Schrader’s work continues to be cited up to the present day. These inscriptions are preceded by numerous laudatory poems authored by many notable poets and contemporaries. Johannes Sturm, Joachim Camerarius, and Johannes Caselius all contribute poems, as does the physician Adolph Occo and the librarian Jan Gruter (Schrader’s love of books is noted by at least one poem, and upon his death his large collection of books was given to the city of Osnabruck).

The text is followed by a brief section that lists stereotypes of people in particular regions. For example, Florentines are said to be ridiculous in their dress and inept in their speech, but clever in business. OCLC WorldCat reports four locations in the United States (#51803774). Uncommon in the trade; Rare Book Hub records one copy that has appeared twice for sale, selling in 2018 for 15,000 GBP and in 2024 for 21,590 GBP. Citations: VD16 S 4043