Historiae de gentibus septentrionalibus [...], a Cornelio Scribonio Graphaeo, in Epitomen redactae [...].

16mo: [8]-512-[55] pp. (sl. dampstaining throughout, sm. marg. wormtracks and wormholes, large staining on pp. 357-358 and 472-474).

Contemp. dark leather, triple blind-ruled covers orn. with a central medallion, gilt-ruled spine with raised bands (sl. rubbed, ties and flyleaves missing).

Second edition of this interesting treatise on Northern Europe in 21 books which long remained the only source for these regions. Elaborating on customs, folklore, politics, social organisation, culture, trade... Illustrated with 135 small woodcuts through the text providing details on the harsh life in Scandinavia with realistic scenes depicting maps, men fishing, hunting, trading, mining, scenes of war, etc. Based on the first edition (Rome, 1555) the text was severely shortened by Cornelius Grapheus or Schrijver and contains most probably the same woodcuts as in the Roman edition. The dedication to Viglius de Zuychem, president of the Privy Council of Philip II, is signed by Christophe Plantin who coedited the work with Jean Bellère in 1558 (8vo). The many reprints (1586, 1599, 1618 and 1652) and translations in French (1561), Flemish (1562, 1665), Italian (1565), etc. demonstrate the popularity of Magnus' work. Magnus (Sweden 1490-1557 Rome) succeeded his brother as the last archbishop of Upspala in 1544, but only in title (!), as they were both exiled in 1530 after the succes of the reformation in Sweden.
Ref. BT 2023.- Adams M-142.- Pettegree (NB) 20227. - BT 2023. - Cp. Machiels (Plantin, 1558, [8]-192 ff.). - Not in STC Dutch.
Prov. Unreadable ms. entry on title. - Colonel Edward Henry Cooper (1827-1902), a landlord in County Sligo, Irish officer in the British Army and a Conservative politician (armorial bookpl.).