SANSOVINO, Francesco (1521-83). Historia Universale dell' Origine, et Imperio de' Turchi, Venice, 1582, 4to, 14 woodcut illustrations of Turkish costume (variable browning and staining), contemporary full vellum.

SANSOVINO, Francesco (1521-83).  Historia Universale dell' Origine, et Imperio de' Turchi ... Et riformata in molte sue parti per ordine della Santa Inquisitione. Nella quale si contengeno le leggi, gli offici, i costumi, & la militia di quella natione; con tutti le cose fatte da loro per terra, & per mare. Con la vita particolare de Prncipi Othomani; cominciando dal primo fondator di quell' Imperio, fino al presente Amorath. 1582. Con le Figure in Disegno de Gli Habiti, & dell' armature de soldati d' esso gran Turco. Venice: Presso Altobello Salicato, 1582. 4to (198 x 150mm). Woodcut device on title, woodcut initials, headpieces and ornaments, 14 woodcut illustrations of Turkish costumes at the end (lacks all before title and after the final text leaf (i.e. ?blanks), small repair to margin of title, Rrr2 torn without loss, a few small rustholes and isolated darker stains affecting letters, marginal stain affecting first 22 leaves at the front, variable browning throughout, some mainly marginal staining, final leaf partially detached with some wormtracks affecting letters in one corner and a closed tear). Contemporary full vellum, title in early manuscript on the spine (some staining, bumped and rubbed at corners, lower inner hinges split). Provenance: modern (cancelled) institutional library label; old illegible inscription on front pastedown and on title; "Sac. Attilio Cordignano Parroco, Fusine in Valmorana" (later stamp on title); later library labels on the upper cover and at foot of spine. First published in 1560. Atabey 1088; Blackmer 1487: "The work contains an important collection of source material of the Turks edited by Sansovino. It includes the report by Bishop Leonard of Chios on the fall of Constantinople, written only a few weeks after the Turks took over the city, and also the important work by Spandugino comprising the earliest description of Ottoman manners, religion and government. Excerpts from Menavino, Cambini, Giovio and Barletius are also included"; not in Brunet; Cicogna Iscrizioni Veneziane IV, 47.22.