[New post] Provenance Mysteries: Palagio de gl’incanti, & delle gran meraviglie de gli spiriti, & di tutta la natura
mtlibrary posted: " The September 2022 provenance mystery features Palagio de gl'incanti, & delle gran meraviglie de gli spiriti, & di tutta la natura, by Strozzi Cigogna, published in Vicenza in 1605. Cigogna was born in 1568 and grew up in Vicenza; he studied " Middle Temple Library Blog
The September 2022 provenance mystery features Palagio de gl'incanti, & delle gran meraviglie de gli spiriti, & di tutta la natura, by Strozzi Cigogna, published in Vicenza in 1605.
Cigogna was born in 1568 and grew up in Vicenza; he studied law in Padua. He died in Venice in 1613. This is Cigogna's best-known work – a treatise on magic, demonology and philosophy, containing a variety of anecdotes, including a strange Portuguese tale which could have been a precursor to the story of King Kong. It has been described as a work that demonstrates a wide-ranging knowledge of sources, from antiquity onwards. It uses many examples, both traditional and contemporary, to expostulate Cigogna's themes. It was translated into Latin by Gaspar Ens in 1606, ensuring a wider success for it in European circles.
1. Cigogna title page
The provenance mystery concerns the inscription on the title page: 'Iddio ed Io Di Guil: Palmer 1618', which translates as 'God and I, [from?] William Palmer 1618'. I have queried 'from' as 'D' in 'Di' is not entirely clear due to the trimming of the page. If it is 'Di', could this signify that William Palmer gave this book, in 1618, to someone, presumably Robert Ashley, as the book is from his founding bequest? Or does it signify that William Palmer acquired the book in 1618?
2. Alcorano title page
Interestingly, another Italian book in the collection has a similar inscription: 'Di Guglielmo Palmer Iddio ed io' ; 'A Paris. - 20 6/'. This inscription is found in Ashley's copy of L'alcorano di Macometto, printed in Venice in 1547. It is accompanied by a second inscription, 'De Thomaeo Palmer a Ra[?]'. Apparently, William Palmer acquired the book in Paris for 20 [sols turnois] and 6 [deniers].
The names of William and Thomas Palmer are very common, and without further evidence, it is difficult to tease out which may be 'our' William Palmer. There was a Jesuit chaplain with the name William Palmer (1591-1670) – the Italian motto used in these inscriptions could lend itself to such a book owner. There are also many William, and Thomas Palmers from Kent and Sussex, all from the same family branches. There is no William Palmer listed in Book Owners Online.
Unfortunately, the book is damaged, and thus difficult to photograph well. We welcome offers to sponsor the repair of this book, which would cost approximately £500. If you are interested in sponsoring the book's repair, please contact the Librarian at: library@middletemple.org.uk.
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