I Trattenimenti – Scipione Bargagli – 1587, First edition | Siege of Siena Storytelling

I Trattenimenti by Scipione Bargagli was printed in Venice in 1587. This Italian novella is a collection of dialogues between young men and wmen during the Siege of Siena in 1555. The characters gathered in private to celebrate Carnival, sharing tales, singing songs, and playing literary games together. Written in the style of Boccaccio’s Decameron, this book was written as a record of the culture of the city of Siena, prior to its demise from the war, published by one of Italy’s most prestigious publishing houses at the time.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: I Trattenimenti di Scipion Bargagli; dove da vaghe donne, e da giovani Huomini rappresentati sono honesti
• Author(s): Scipione Bargagli
• Publisher: In Venetia, Bernardo Giunti
• Edition: First Edition. 1587.
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Binding: Leather, gilt border on covers
• Size:  8in x 6in (20.3 cm x 15.2 cm)
• Collation: [6], 287 pp
• Contents Include:
  • Light-hearted dialogues set during the 1555 siege of Siena
  • Carnival-themed literary exchanges and games
  • Storytelling and song in Boccaccian structure
• Reference(s): USTC 812308; Adams B 203

Condition:

Very Good. Binding is secure with minor wear at the spine crown. Covers show gilt border decoration. Pages are complete with normal aging but no serious flaws.

Why Collect This?

• First edition printed by Bernardo Giunti in 1587
• Rare witness to Siena’s cultural life during 1555 siege
• Rarely seen available on the market

Item Number: #29023