Zodiacus Vitae: Hoc Est, de Hominis Vita, Studio, ac Moribus Optime Instituendis, Libri XII... cum Indice Accuratissimo.
London: Ex Officina Societatis Stationariorum [printed by John Legat], 1616. Small 8vo, [4], 294, [66]pp. Index. Woodcut device on title and initials. 18th century ruled calf, spine lettered in gilt, marbled page edges. Armorial bookplate of Adam Urquhart, Esq. to front pastedown, else clean internally and with minimal foxing.
One of roughly half a dozen early English printings in the original Latin of the humanist poem by Neopolitan poet, Marcello Stellato (ca. 1500-1550). The work is divided into 12 books, each for a sign of the Zodiac.
Originally published in 1536 in Venice, the poem was first translated into English by Barnaby Googe, six books published in 1561, and then the complete Zodiake of Life in 1565. It was widely read and distributed in London and also taught in early English grammar school. Shakespeare almost certainly studied the work and it is thought to be the inspiration for his "All the world's a stage," monologue from As you Like It.
Editions printed in London of this famous poem are markedly less common in the trade than other continental printings.
Gardner 893. STC 19146. Item #6130
Price: $950.00