COLUMELLA (Lucius Junius Moderatus)
Les Douze Livres des choses rustiques...
Translated by Claude Cotereau and edited by Thierry de Beauvois, Paris, Jacques Keruer 1555. Text in French, [2] l., blank, [32]pp, 174pp [1] l., title within woodcut border of rustic motifs and cherubs, large woodcut decorative initials, and a few small illustrations, engraving on verso of Privilege page at the end depicting a unicorn and shield. Endpapers with splash stain, contemporary name written on lower margin of title page, some browning and finger-marking, mostly front & back pages. Early [?] contemporary full leather binding, on five cords, with gilt fillets framing fleurons, corners and hinges worn, binding intact.
A rare edition. `Information is given as to the care of the home, the description and care of various plants and animals, how to make wines, vinegars, vin cuit, hydromel, mustard, cheese how to make oil and to preserve olives, turnips, radishes, and other vegetables, and how to keep fruits’. (Bitting).