Giovanni Palazzi / Benoit Thiboust - Aquila Saxonica - 1673-1674

AQUILA SAXONICA (SAXON EAGLE) FIRST EDITION 1673 by Giovanni Palazzi or Joannes Palatius (1643-1712). Two parts in one volume, beautiful illustrated book on the first German kings from 800 to 1100 and who unified the kingdom of Germany and Italy under the Holy Roman Empire. 82 COPPER ENGRAVINGS and many full page height 380 x width 260mm. The splendid illustrations are by Palazzi himself who in addition to being a historian, lawyer, professor of canon law at the University of Padova, advisor to Leopold I the Holy Roman Emperor, was also an engraver. The other engravings are signed by Benoit Thiboust (1660-1719), a French engraver who developed his style according to the paintings of the Italian masters, translating their works with maximum attention to detail. Book dedicated to the King Louis XIV or Sun King, with a large full-page portrait triumphantly portrayed as he dominates a seven-headed dragon. Title with publisher's mark depicting a ship with sails unfurled and signed by Robert de Longe (1646-1709) was a painter born in Brussels - Belgium, but active in Northern Italy including Cremona and Piacenza. Beautiful old full leather binding, in good condition, the work contains many beautiful illustrations as shown in the photos. The same first edition is currently selling for $4,000.00, here it is offered at a fraction of that price.

The book is a great illustrated research on the first Saxon Kings from Henry I the Fowler or Henricus Auceps I (876-936 AD) to Henry II the Saint or Heinrich II (973-1024 AD) and Holy Roman Emperor. The author Giovanni Palazzi reveals the events, the intrigues, the diplomatic relations with foreign leaders, the wars, the jurisprudence, the succession struggles, the dynastic relationships in Germany and Italy, all enriched by beautiful detailed illustrations showing emblems, portraits, historical events, archeology, family trees, mythological scenes, coins, heraldic symbols of the 5 kings who succeeded one another consecutively and unified medieval Germany from 800 to 1100. The title of Holy Roman Emperor was held in conjunction with the titles of King of Italy and King of Germany. The book shows the events of the Kings and their allies that develop in parallel both in Germany, Italy and Europe. It describes the history of the following 5 German kings or emperors; 1)Henry I the Fowler also known as Heinrich der Vogler or Henricus Auceps I (876-936 AD). 2)Otto I the Great also known as Otto der Große or Otto of Saxony (912-973), was crowned emperor by Pope John XII, as Charlemagne's and the Carolingian Empire's successor. 3)Otto II der Rote also called Otto II the Red (955-983), was the youngest and sole surviving son of Otto the Great and Adelaide of Italy. 4)Otto III of Saxony (980-1002), was the only son of Emperor Otto II and his wife Theophanu. 5)Henry II the Saint also known as Heinrich II or Henricus II (973-1024) was the last exponent of the Ottonian dynasty. He was declared a saint and his wife, Cunegonda, is also included in the list of saints of the Catholic Church. The portrait of King Louis XIV triumphantly portrayed while dominating a seven-headed dragon is spectacular and a work of great value, and created/signed by Benoit Thiboust. ALL ILLUSTRATIONS ARE DETAILED AND WELL CONTRASTED, RARE ILLUSTRATED FIRST EDITION.

Title: Aquila Saxonica, sub qua imperatores Saxones ab Henrico Aucupe usque ad Henricum Sanctum Occidentis imperatorem XV, elogiis, hierogliphycis, numismatibus, insignibus, symbolis, imaginibus antiquis ad vivum exhibentur exculpti & longa historiarum serie exarati...(The Saxon eagle, under which the Saxon emperors from Henry I the Fowler or Henricus Auceps I, to Henry II the Saint or Heinrich II the Holy Western Emperor XV, are represented in realistic reliefs, hieroglyphics, coins, insignia, symbols and ancient images, carved and engraved with a long series of stories. Published by Io. Iacobum Herz (Giovanni Giacomo Herz), 1673-1674, in Venice.

References: Cat. Vinciana n. 483 e 484. Graesse V, 104-5. Brunet IV, 315. Praz, M. Studies in 17th-century imagery (2nd ed.), p. 442; OCoLC 85172275; USTC Record No. 1745003.

Description: folio size: height 380mm x width 260 mm or 14.9 by 10.3 inches. Two parts in one volume, complete edition. Pages [6], 254; 65, [1], followed by [6] for the index, followed by 1 blank sheet attached to the flyleaf. With 1 full-page copperplate frontispiece, red and black frontispiece with large copperplate vignette, 1 full-page portrait of Louis XIV, and 7 beautiful full-page engravings of allegories, portraits and 1 genealogical tree, plus 72 copperplate portraits of kings, emperors and European sovereigns in the text. An excellent copy in contemporary calf, solid binding with restored joints. Some signs of wear, slight stains and some peeling on the boards, but solid. 6-ribbed spine with gold titles on a red label and gold decorations on the compartments, marbled paper flyleafs, red edges. A good copy of this history of the German emperors, splendidly illustrated with numerous finely engraved portraits, and dedicated to the Sun King or Louis XIV. Pages and plates are clean, occasional light spotting and browning, rare defects. Text in Latin.

Author: Giovanni Palazzi, also known as Joannes Palatius (1643-1712), was a priest at the church of Santa Maria Mater Domini in Venice, as well as a lawyer and professor of canon law at the University of Padua. He was a co-founder of the Accademia Istorica e Teologica and was in correspondence with numerous scholars, including Gregorio Leti, Antonio Magliabechi, Girolamo Albrizzi, the quietist Michele Cicogna and Apostolo Zeno. He also worked as an engraver. Palazzi wrote a number of historical works in Latin, including De dominio maris (1663) on Venetian naval power, the multi-volume Gesta pontificum Romanorum (5 volumes, from 1687) and the Fasti cardinalium (1703), then a series of 8 stand-alone volumes (1673-1679), dedicated to the history of the Bavarian, Saxon, Franconia, Swabia, Austrian, French and Italian monarchies namely the Aquila inter lilia; Aquila saxonica; Aquila sancta sive bavarica; Aquila franca; Aquila sueva; Aquila vaga; Aquila austriaca; and Aquila romana.

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