HULSIUS, Levinus.

XII Primorum Caesarum et LXIIII ipsorum, uxorum et parentum ex antiquis numismatibus, in aere incisae, effigies ...

Speyer, Typis Bernard Albinus [for the author], 1599. 4to, pp. [8], 198, [2], with finely engraved architectural border enclosing printed title-page, 75 plates of coins, some showing obverse and reverse, all within intricate changing ornamental borders and engraved by Johann Sibmacher, and 1 engraved text illustration; four leaves with small stain to fore-edge, not affecting text, but generally a very good copy bound in fine German contemporary pale calf, covers with gilt ornamental border enclosing gilt fleurons in the corners and gilt lozenge in the centre, modestly gilt spine, foot of spine a little worn, gilt edges. Inside front cover bookplate, c. 1930, 'Bibliothek Leye'. First edition, second issue of Hulsius's first medal book, which copies the illustrations faithfully from imperial coins. The first issue was published in 1597, and in the second issue only the imprint and date on the title-page were altered while the sheets are those of the original edition with the colophon dated 'Frankfurt, 1597'.Hulsius was a native of Ghent, who lived in Nuremberg as a writer and publisher from 1590. His interests were wide ranging. He published two works on medals. He also edited and translated with the help of others several volumes of travel narratives to the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. He printed not only his own works but also published others, such as Tycho Brahe's Astronomiae Instauratae Mecanica (1602). In the summer of 1602 he travelled to England and later settled in Frankfurt where he died in 1606 preparing a work on mechanical and mathematical instruments.Dekesel, 16th century, H36; Lipsius p. 195.

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