DE NICOLAY, Nicolas (1517-1583) - Le navigationi et viaggi nella Turchia. Antwerp: Guiglielmo Silvio, 1577.   First edition in Italian, with a translation by Francesco Flori, of Nicolay's renown work on his stay in Turkey. The work originates in 1551, when Nicolay accompanied the diplomat Gabriel d'Aramont on a mission to Constantinople where he was able to observe and draw his wonderful figures of Ottomans, Arabs and Armenians in their traditional costumes. The splendid engravings are reduced woodcuts of those produced for the first edition of 1567, and they are among the finest and most influential early representations of Turkish customs.   4to (205 x 135mm). Title with printer's device within a woodcut frame, woodcut initials, head-and-tail pieces, fine full-page woodcut illustrations (without blank 2ast4, light browning occasionally heavier as on title, some small wormholes sometimes touching text and illustrations without compromising its legibility, paper flaw in V4 and 2D2 causing a minor tear, some marginal waterstaining and a few stains). 18th-century speckled calf, title on spine label and gilt decorations to spine and dentelles, red speckled edges, marbled endpapers (light rubbing). Provenance: Su Bibliotheca D.. Parisiensis (ownership inscription on verso of first leaf).

Estimate € 1,200 - 1,800

Sold € 1,100