Fra Angelico

Spike, John T. Fra Angelico. Abbeville Press, 1997.

This book offers an in-depth exploration of the life and works of the early Renaissance painter, Fra Angelico. Renowned for his ethereal use of color and light, Fra Angelico’s frescoes and panel paintings reflect a deep spiritual devotion combined with extraordinary technical skill. This beautifully illustrated book features numerous full-color reproductions of his most celebrated works, including his famous frescoes in the Convent of San Marco in Florence. The large-format images capture the detail and craftsmanship of Fra Angelico’s painting, allowing readers to appreciate the nuances of his religious scenes, figures, and the fabrics that adorn his subjects.

For costume historians and those interested in reproducing Renaissance attire, Fra Angelico is a treasure trove of visual references. His careful attention to the draping of robes, the ornamentation of garments, and the depiction of textures provides invaluable insight into the clothing of the 15th century. This volume is not only a celebration of one of the most spiritually profound artists of the Renaissance but also a practical resource for those looking to understand the sartorial elegance of the period.

This is a large, lavishly illustrated book is in excellent condition. It is a navy blue cloth-wrapped hardback book with a dust jacket in very good condition. We pasted an address label on the first sheet, but it is otherwise in fine condition. The dimensions are approximately 11½"wide x 13¼"tall x 1¼"thick. 9780789203229 / 0789203227.

I'm asking $50.

Platina's On Right Pleasure

Platina, Bartolomeo. On Right Pleasure and Good Health: A Renaissance Gentlemen's Discourse on Food, Health and Physical Pleasures. Edited, translated, and abridged by Mary Ella Milham, Pegasus Press, 1999.

Bartolomeo Sacchi, known as Platina—soldier, schoolmaster, papal administrator, author, librarian, and prototypical Italian humanist—composed On Right Pleasure and Good Health between 1463 and 1465. Originally written for the enjoyment of his friends, this work draws from sources such as Pliny, the Arab physician Ibn Butlan, and the renowned chef Martino d’Rossi. The text spans ten books, addressing the relationship between food and health through philosophical, dietetic, and aesthetic lenses.

Edited and translated by Mary Ella Milham, this edition captures Platina’s advice on topics ranging from proper table settings, the benefits of fresh air, rest, and sexual pleasure, to the practicalities of sleep. His extensive collection of recipes provides insight into the health and culinary practices of the 15th-century Italian elite, blending a concern for well-being with a love for gastronomic pleasure.

This abridged version retains the rich cultural and historical significance of the original, making it an excellent resource for those interested in Renaissance food, health practices, and Platina’s humanistic philosophy. Milham’s work is invaluable to scholars and casual readers alike, offering a window into Renaissance Italy’s relationship with food, health, and the pleasures of life.

This is a paperback book in very good condition, but for an prior owner's address label on the top corner of the first page.  220 pages. It's approximately 6¼"wide by 9¼"tall. ISBN: 9781889818122 / 1889818127.

I'm asking $100.

Italian Renaissance Armor

Pyhrr, Stuart W., and José-A. Godoy. Heroic Armor of the Italian Renaissance: Filippo Negroli and His Contemporaries. NY: Metropolitan Museum of Art. Distributed by Harry Abrams. 1998.

In the second quarter of the 16th century, a new fashion emerged for armor designed after classical art forms, richly embossed, gilt, and damascened. These lavish parade armors, worn by Renaissance kings and captains, projected power and virtue. Filippo Negroli, the most celebrated of the Milanese armorers, transformed traditional military armor into sculptural works in steel. His family, including his brother Francesco and cousin Giovan Paolo, also contributed to the art of armor-making, serving clients like Emperor Charles V and the French court.

The book thoroughly examines Filippo's signed works and attributes additional pieces to him. It also covers the technical abilities and imaginative designs of the Milanese armorers, drawing from classical motifs such as Medusa heads and fantastic creatures. The book is generously illustrated and serves as a catalogue for a Metropolitan Museum of Art exhibition. 368 pages; 298 illustrations, 174 in color.

I have no idea how, but I seem to have three copies of this book. Probably because it is such an amazing book that I bought it every time I saw it (I wasn't good at managing my book inventory back then). There are quite a few copies available on Amazon and other sites, but most seem to be in used condition. I have one fine copy with mylar-wrapped dust jacket, and two copies that are still in their original shrink wrapping! ISBN: 9780810965294.

I'm asking $150 for the like new, but opened copy, and $250 for each of the shrink-wrapped copies. 

For folks who want all the words from the dust jacket: