Beschreibung:

Junius, Franciscus (François Du Jon). The Painting of the Ancients, in Three Bookes: Declaring by Historicall Observations and Examples, the Beginning, Progresse, and Consummation of that most Noble Art. And How those Ancient Artificers Attained to their still so much Admired Excellencie. Written first in Latine by Franciscus Junius, F.F. And now by him Englished, with some Additions and Alterations. London: Richard Hodgkinson for Daniel Frere, 1638
First edition of a translation by the author of his own De Pictura veterum, a compilation from ancient literature of virtually everything that touches the visual arts. The work was commissioned by Thomas Howard, 2nd Earl of Arundel (1585–1646), in whose household Junius was tutor and librarian, and first published in 1637. This translation, published a year later, is dedicated to the Earl’s wife, Alethea (née Talbot), Countess of Arundel (ca. 1590–1654).
A number of copies were printed on special paper, apparently by placing large paper over the regular formes, and several of these copies were bound in red velvet, presumably for presentation. The earliest recorded owner of the present copy is John Thoresby (1626–1679), a wool merchant, who served in the parliamentarian army under Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron (1612–1671), and in 1671 purchased from Fairfax’s executors a collection of coins and medals, and possibly also the Fairfax library. The copy perhaps descended to his son, the bibliophile and antiquary, Ralph Thoresby (1658–1725), who bequeathed his library to his eldest son of the same name (1697–1763). After the latter’s death, the Thoresby library was sold en bloc to the London bookseller, Thomas Payne. It could be the copy offered by Payne in 1763, described as “large paper, bound in velvet, gilt leaves” (item 1518).
These copies on large paper and in old velvet bindings can be traced:
(1) Red velvet: alleged dedication copy.Alethea Howard, Countess of Arundel (dedicatory inscription on title-page [erased]) — Thomas Grenville (1755–1846; John Thomas Payne & Henry Foss, Bibliotheca Grenvilliana; or Bibliographical Notices of Rare and Curious Books, Forming Part of the Library of the Right Hon. Thomas Grenville (London, 1842), I, p. 381 (“L.P. Velvet, ruled with red lines. … This is the presentation copy from Junius to the Countesse of Arundel in whose family he had lived for 30 years”) — London, British Library, G.2674 (rebound in the twentieth century, with red velvet insets in covers).
(2) Red velvet: alleged presentation copy to Charles II as Prince of Wales.perhaps Charles II as Prince of Wales — Sotheby’s, London, 13–15 December 1926, lot 341 (“large paper copy, original red velvet … Presentation copy to Charles II, with his signature ‘Charles Prince’ on fly-leaf. Inserted is a fine copy in proof state of the portrait of Charles by Faithhorne after Dobson.”), purchased by — “Benn” (£33) — Hodgson & Co., London, 2–4 February 1938, lot 485), purchased by — “Lee” (£1 18s).
(3) Red velvet: Isham copy, with inscription and exlibris.Thomas Isham, 3rd Bt (1657–1681; inscription “Tho: Isham” on front free endpaper) — Isham family library, Lamport Hall (Sotheby’s, London, 17–18 June 1904, lot 193), purchased by — J. &. J. Leighton, London (£3) — J. Pearson & Co., Very Choice Books including an Extremely Important Series of Historical Bindings [1905], p. 141; 500 Important Books, Manuscripts, and Autograph Letters [1910?], item 267 (£40) — Anderson Galleries, New York, 28–30 October 1918, lot 194), purchased by — unidentified owner ($5.25) — Washington, D.C., Folger Library, STC 7302 copy 3.
(4) Red velvetOxford, Queen’s College, Sel.f.179 (OPAC: “17th century red velvet with gilt calf title spine label. Evidence of clasps on fore-edge of upper and lower boards.”)
(5) Red velvetSotheby’s, London, 16–17 June 1910, lot 424 (“large paper, orig. red velvet”), purchased by — “Parrant” (£3 5s).
(6) Red velvetSotheby’s, London, 8–11 April 1919, lot 335 (“large paper, red velvet [loose], g.e.”), purchased by — Pickering, London (£18).
(7) Uncertain colorWilliam Carew Hazlitt (Collections and Notes, 1867–1876; Second Series of Bibliographical Collections and Notes on Early English Literature, 1474–1700 [London, 1882], p. 323 (“The copy I have employed is on large paper, and bound in velvet. A similar copy is in the Grenville Library, and is described as unique.”)
4to (226 x 160 mm). Roman and italic types, 32 lines plus headline. collation: A–Z4 Aa–Yy4 Zz2: 364 leaves. Title within a type-ornament border, woodcut initials and head- and tailpieces. (Some marginal browning.)
binding: English red velvet over stiff pasteboards (236 x 174 mm), ca. 1638, presumably for presentation, traces of 2 pairs of ties, gilt edges. (Rebacked to style, rubbed, with losses to extremities, some fading but still a vibrant color.)
provenance: John Thoresby (inscription “Ex Libris Johanis Thoresby” on upper pastedown) — perhaps Ralph Thoresby, bibliophile and antiquary, son of the former, bequeathed his library to — his eldest son of the same name, Rector of Newington — Thomas Payne, London (A Catalogue of a Large and Curious Collection of Books Lately Purchased … to be sold (for ready money only) on Monday the 22d. of August 1763, and continue on sale till Christmas next [1763], p. 47, item 1518) — Sir Charles Pratt (1714–1794), created Baron Camden in 1765, and Viscount Bayham and Earl Camden in 1786 (armorial exlibris: “Lord Camden” with motto “Judicium parium aut lex terrae”; a long note on flyleaf about art, and index at end, both possibly in his hand) — Bonhams, London, 1 April 2003, lot 255, purchased by — unidentified owner (£480). acquisition: Purchased from Sokol Books Ltd, London, 2004.
references: ESTC S110933; STC 7302; USTC 3019517.