PALATINO (Giovanni Battista). Libro di M. Giovam Battista Palatino cittadino romano, Nelqual s'insegna à Scriuer ogni sorte lettera, Antica, & Moderna, di qualunque natione, con le sue, regole, & misure, & essempi: et con vn breve, et vtil discorso de le cifre: Riueduto nuouamente, & corretto dal proprio Autore. Con la giunta di quindici tavole bellissime. [Rome: Valerio Dorico for Giovanni Della Gatta, 1561]. - In-4, 199 x 140 : (64 ff. last blank). Stiff parchment, smooth spine (18th- or 19th-century binding). Rare edition of this calligraphy treatise by Italian master-calligrapher Giovanni Battista Palatino (1515-1575). Published during the author's lifetime, it follows the definitive edition of 1545. This is the most famous and successful treatise on Renaissance writing and calligraphic models, first published in 1540. In it, the author teaches how to write all kinds of letters, ancient and modern, from every nation, with its rules, measures and examples. Within four years, five editions had already been published, a sign of unprecedented publishing success that continued throughout the 16th century. In 1545, the definitive edition appeared, published by Antonio Blado. The author gives pride of place to archaic and picturesque alphabets, to strange and unusual letters rich in ornamental motifs, and to graphic forms with calculated aesthetic effect, concluding the treatise with whole pages of figures and curious "figurative sonnets" or "rebus". The work concludes with a chapter on the instruments needed by any good calligrapher, and how to use them. The edition features a woodcut portrait of the author on the title, a full-page engraving of writing instruments, as well as several writing and alphabet models, some printed in white on black. Folio H7v features a fine oval engraving of a lit candle with a butterfly on its flame. In the frame is a verse from a poem by Petrarch: "Et so ben ch'i' vo dietro a quel che m'arde." An interesting copy from the library of the English mathematician John Blagrave, who died in 1611, with an autograph note on the title: "Johannis Blagravi & amicorum liber. Anno salutis 1580." On folio H2r, there is a note in Latin by the same hand in the lower margin, concerning the unit of measurement of sextarius in an ink recipe. The work was subsequently acquired by English master typographer and publisher Stanley Morison (1889-1967), whose name and address at 11 Hollyberry Lane are inscribed in pencil by hand on the third white endpaper, with fine calligraphy. Morison is best known for creating the famous "Times" typeface for The Times newspaper. Devoted to typography throughout his life, he continued to publish relentlessly, and in 1960 was awarded the title of Royal Designer for Industry, a distinction conferred by the Royal Society of Arts for personalities who have succeeded in "combining a high level of aesthetics with successful design for industry". Attached is an autograph letter of two pages in-4, written by Morison on September 12, 1964, concerning this copy and Blagrave in particular. Good copy in later binding, 18th or 19th century. A note in ink at the top of the last endpaper reads: "Amst. Sept. 1827. d. H. 3 flor." The binding is soiled, and there are wormholes in the inner margins of several leaves, but neither the text nor the engravings are affected. The last blank leaf has been glued to the endpaper. Provenance: John Blagrave. - Sale Catalogue of the curious and interesting library of the late Rev. R. S. Bayley... also of duplicates from a public library ; and another library, London, March 24, 1860, n° 543. - Stanley Morison.