GIORGI Federico Libro del modo di conoscere i buoni falconi, astori, a sparavieri, di farli, di governali, & medicarli.

Not in Frank & Thiebaud. Souhart, 217; see Schwerdt (other editions).

Pocket edition of an early and “esteemed” (Harting) work on falconry.

It contains detailed information on the breeding and training of falcons, hawks, and sparrow hawks, with notes on their feeding and care. It was an important source for Turberville’s The booke of faulconrie or hawking, the best-known work on hawking of the 16th century. With a dedication to Marchese Carlo Gonzaga, whom Giorgio appears to have served as falconer. Carlo Gonzaga was a member of the well-known Italian Gonzaga family, which ruled Mantua from 1328 to 1708. At the Gonzaga court there, falconry was practiced according to ancient traditions and was an important part of the family’s favourite pastime: hunting.

Giorgi’s treatise begins with a description of birds of prey, followed by details of their diseases and treatments. In the chapter devoted to the feeding of these special birds, we read that the flesh of dogs is deemed suitable as perfect food. The book closes with a chapter on the treatment of dog diseases.

The illustration consists of 10 woodcut vignettes, 9 of which show birds of prey, the last of which opens the chapter devoted to dogs.

All editions of Giorgi are rare, as evidenced by its absence from the bibliography given by Thiébaud.

Some loss to head of spine, corners slightly bumped. Nevertheless a good copy of this rare book.

Provenance: Paul Lebaudy (bookplate) – Hubert Lebaudy (bookplate).