1715 – Vatican Medals & St. Peter’s Basilica Architecture | Catholic Church History

Filippo Buonanni’s Numismata summorum pontificum templi vaticani fabricam indicantia a survey into the history of the Vatican and Saint Peter’s Basilica. First published in 1696, this book contains a chronological examination of the basilica’s architectural design and construction, noting the various prominent architects throughout. It also provides a history of coins and medals associated with the Vatican, many of which are illustrated throughout. It is, of course, the numerous engravings throughout this impressive 1715 folio that set it apart from other histories of the Vatican. Note the dozens of double and full-page engravings throughout – views of statues, furniture, sepulchral monuments, floorplans, facades, and so much more.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Numismata summorum pontificum templi vaticani fabricam indicantia, chronologica eiusdem fabricae narratione
• Author(s): Filippo Buonanni
• Contributor(s): Michele Lonigo (Appendix)
• Publisher: Romae, ex typographia Georgii Plachi, apud S. Marcum
• Edition: Third Edition. 1715.
• Binding: Full leather
• Format: Folio, single volume
• Size:  14.25 x 9.75 in (36.2 x 24.8 cm)
• Collation: [8], 1–190, [2], 191–218 pp
• Illustrations: 91 engravings
  • **References and other examples of this work show inconsistencies with the expected number of plates. Many of the plates in this example are unnumbered (only 86) are numbered and are incorrectly bound.
• Contents Include:
  • On the Basilica of Saint Peter built by Constantine
  • architects and the plans (or deliberations) of the Vatican
  • coins/medals of the popes from Martin V to Innocent XIII
  • Appendix on the Confession of Saint Peter, by Michele Lonigo
  • Vatican sepulchral monuments (i.e., funerary monuments in the Vatican
• Reference(s): Cicognara 2779 / 3735

Condition:

Near Fine. Contemporary tooled leather binding with gilt spine and raised bands, corners lightly rubbed. Marbled sides bright, hinges firm. Pages clean with mild toning from age. Engravings crisp, paper strong, and text block secure.

Why Collect This?

• Early folio printed in Rome documenting papal medals and Vatican architecture
• Includes Lonigo’s appendix on the Confessio of St. Peter

Item Number: # 29699