POSSEVINO, Antonio (1533-1611) - La Moscovia. Ferrara: Benedetto Mammarelli, 1592.   Report written by Jesuit Antonio Possevino on Muscovy and published for the first time in 1586, here in a later edition. The author was sent as a legate of Pope Gregory XIII to Tsar Ivan IV in 1581, with the aim of promoting good relations between the Pope and the Orthodox Church against the Ottoman threat. In this report Possevino describes his own experience as a legate and collects observations on the Russian region.   8vo (140 x 85mm). Woodcut arms of the dedicatee bishop Alberto Valerio on title, woodcut headpieces and initials (restorations at title and margin of the first and final leaf just touching text, browning, spotting, waterstaining from gathering Nn). 18th-century speckled calf with gilt decorations and title on spine, gilt decorated dentelle, marbled endpapers, speckled edges (light wear to joints, spine and dentelle). Provenance: Huberto 1770 Roma (ownership inscription at endpaper).

Estimate € 250 - 350

Sold € 380