Pompa introitus [...] Ferdinandi Austriaci Hispaniarum Infantis [...].

Very large folio (56 x 39 cm): [10]-189-[13] pp. (title partly underlaid or strengthened repairing 2 large tears, blank bottom of portr. strengthened, a few sm. tears (some repaired), central fold of last pl. strengthened; some minor marg. staining or soiling, some plates toned and/or with offsetting of text).

Contemp. goldtooled overl. vellum (sl. soiled, sl. warping, some sm. def.), covers with gilt central ornament inside double gilt-ruled frame with corner pieces, flat gilt spine (tail def.), traces of green cloth ties, a.e.g. Good copy.

Magnificent publication on the Entry into Antwerp of the Spanish Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand in 1635. The production was delayed on account of financial problems, the untimely death of a major collaborator (Rubens, May 1640), and almost halted by the death of Ferdinand himself (November 1641). The ed. has a number of variants, as described by Arents. This copy doesn't include the half-title or the rare equestrian portrait of Ferdinand by P. Pontius (printed for 200 de luxe copies only), but present is the numbered, half-length portrait of Ferdinand. Illustrated with 36 (of 39) full- or double-page plates by Th. van Thulden after Rubens, depicting the arches and stages built and the paintings adorning them, a nice view of Antwerp cathedral, a large bird's-eye view of the city of Antwerp. Missing are the 2 folding plates showing the 2 parts of the victory arch of the 12 emperors, and pl. 23. Also 47 small engr. in text (coins and medals). The colophon bears the exact date "1642" (and not the intended date 1641). The engraved title page (without the name of the engraver Jac. Neeffs) probably had the names of the sellers H. Aertssens and G. Lesteens printed underneath the front. (as with all copies with "1642" in colophon, Arents c), but the bottom part has been cut off.
Ref. Arents, "Pompa Introitus Ferdinandi. Bijdrage tot de Rubensbibliografie" in: De Gulden Passer. 27 (1949), pp. 81–348. - BB III:193-196:G-370. - Landwehr (Splendid ceremonies) 99. - Judson/VdVelde (Rubens) 81. - STCV (various issues).
Prov. "[Part erased] Amplissimi Magistratus Antverpiensis" (entry at bottom of title). Probably one of the 200 copies delivered by van Thulden to the Antwerp Magistrate.