Sigismund von Herberstein:

Comentari della Moscovia, et parimente della Russia.

Venetia, Pedrezzano, 1550. Small 4to. 21 x 15 cms. [8] + 96 leaves including final blank. With 6 full-page woodcuts on three leaves at end. Woodcut on title coloured. NB: Lacking the woodcut map, as often.

Worn and soiled contemporary vellum, ties missing, endpapers somewhat loose and worn, final 4 leaves very slightly gnawed at foot. Old inscription in black ink on front flyleaf. In a recent box.

First edition in Italian. Regarded as the first authentic account on Russia by a Western traveller, presenting Russian politics, geography, living conditions and religion to the reader. The illustrations represent the arms and accoutrements of Russian soldiers, and the manner of sleighing on ice, while the last is a full-length portrait of the Grand Duke of Muscovy.

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