Giovanni Villani; Matteo Villani — Della Cronica Universale de Suoi Tempi

Florence, Lorenzo Torrentino, 1554. Vellum. The first edition of Giovanni and Matteo Villani's later books in their monumental 'Cronica' of Florence history. The first edition of this work. The last two books of Giovanni Villani's 'Cronica', books XI and XII, and the first four books of Matteo Villani's 'Cronica&apos.In two volumes.In the original Italian.USTC citation number 863361 and 863354.Signatures run as: Volume I, *8, **8, A-AA8, BB6. Volume II, a8, A-Y8, Z7.The Villani 'Cronica' is a fourteenth century history of Florence, detailing the history of the city year by year. This history was a milestone achievement in the history of European chronicles.'Cronica' tells the lavish historical story of the city of Florence, as it rose to a rich and powerful position to become an important centre of Italian culture.Villani was inspired to write 'Cronica' after the idea came to him after attending the first Jubilee in the city of Rome, in 1300. After this trip he felt that Rome's historical achievements were well documented, and he wished to lay out his on history on the origins on Florence.This is considered to be the first work that introduces the use of statistics as a positive element in history.The 'Cronica' was originally started by the banker Giovanni Villani, and was continued by his brother after his death. After Matteo died the work was continued by his son.Printed in Torrentino's minute round font.Ink inscription to the recto to the front endpapers, to the verso to the front endpaper of Volume I, and to the title page of Volume II. In a full vellum binding. Externally, generally smart. Boards have sprung a little. Minor discolouration and a few marks to the boards and spines. Light bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Ink inscription to the recto to the front endpapers, to the verso to the front endpaper of Volume I. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are lightly age-toned and generally clean with some odd spots, and a few small tidemarks. Leaf D1 in Volume II with a small chip to the margin, with no loss of text. Prior owner's ink inscription to the title page of Volume II. Good . Ill.: None. Good .