AN ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT BOOK CONTAINING A COLLECTION OF ITALIAN POETRY AND PROSE BY PIER ANTONIO SANI TO HONOUR BRITISH DIPLOMAT SIR HENRY NEWTON CIRCA 1704-1709
[SANI, PIER ANTONIO]. La Musa Risuegliata ad Onore Dell Illmo et Eruditissimo Sig. Enrico Neuutton Inuiato di S: M: Brittannica appresso IA: R: di Toscana e Serma Rep: di Genoua. Epistole, Orazioni, e Poesie diuerse di Messer Pier Antonio Sani S: Miniat: Originario Cittadino e Fiorentino. Genoa, Italy: n.d. [circa 1704-1709].
Leather-bound; hardcover; octavo (23 x 17 x 2 cm.); [4], 82 leaves (hand-numbered on rectos). Entirely manuscript in a single hand, titles in Italian and verse in Latin, on heavy paper in red, blue and black ink with hand ruled borders, decorative initials and tail-pieces. Handsomely bound in contemporary full calf gilt; all page edge gilt; marbled endpapers; initial and terminal blanks. Condition: VERY GOOD. Apparently complete. Binding secure. Notable rubbing to joints and extremities. Interior very well-preserved with some light toning. Armorial bookplate to front pastedown partially removed.
Notes: Sir Henry Newton (1651-1715) was Queen Anne's Envoy Extraordinary to Grand Duke Cosimo III di Medici of Tuscany and Republic of Genoa from 1704-1709; this manuscript book believed to be directly from this period. Sir Henry Newton made a considerable impression during his time in Italy and this manuscript collection by Pier Antonio Sani was clearly produced to honour his time served as a diplomat.
