Octavii Cleophili Phenensis [!] venostissimi Libellus de coetu poetarum ab aAscensio mendis plusculis tersus & diligenter explanatus. Nuperrime vero castigatior elimatiorque factus.

4to: 32 (of 36) ff. (ff. 15, 18, 22-23 missing; stained, margins strengthened).

Mod. quarter vellum, flat spine. Acceptable copy.

Second recorded copy (?) of the extremely rare 10th and final Badius ed. of a popular humanist poem by Cleofilo (1447-1490), a native of Fano (Marche). The "De coetu poetarum" (1st Rome 1483-1485) ran into some 20 editions, all of the greatest rarity. The poem deals with the continuity of poetic inspiration since Antiquity. In an allegorical journey in the afterlife the poet visits Parnassus where he meets Virgil, who is guiding him (a link with Dante!) on a tour to all famous poets from Antiquity. Nativity woodcut on title.
Ref. BP16 104736 = Moreau III:563 = Renouard (Badius) II:347:10 (1: Ste Geneviève).
Prov. Ferdinando Neri (1880-1954) Italian literary critic (bookpl.). - "Emilio Lanza [...] Venaria Reale", Piemonte (blind collector’s stamp).