R. Patris F. Hieronymi Savonarolae Ferrariensis Ordinis Praedicatorum De Simplicitate Christianae vitae Libri quinque Vere aurei [Avec:] eceens in lucem editi cura R. Patris Fr. Stephani Meney Ord. Praedicatorum

Gratianopoli, Italo: Apud Andream Galle, R. Philippis, 1667. Second Printing. Hardcover. Good. 16mo 6" - 7" tall. Extremely scarce in the trade, there being only a single copy available on-line of the true First Edition, being issued the year prior, and none of the present edition, published in 1667. Latin language throughout. A perfectly serviceable reference copy; nothing fancy, but complete and still sturdy. 16mo hardcover bound in contemporary leather with four raised bands, gilt ruling, lettering and fleurs-de-lis rubbed, light cracking to upper joints, but still holding firmly. Rubbed and scuffed panels, tips, lightly soiled endpapers, remains there of a former previous owner's bookplate, unobtrusive, lightly wavy text-block, else clean and tightly bound. Fine black-and-white engraved heads, tails and initials throughout. Tiny worm-hole from title page to p. 45. Extensive frontis matter, 2-162 pp. [6] pp. This iteration of the classic works of Savonarola was collected by Etienne Meney (1631-1694), librarian of the Dominican convent. Girolamo Savonarola (21 September 1452 – 23 May 1498) (Jerome Savonarola) was, according to his Wikipedia entry, an "Italian Dominican friar from Ferrara and a preacher active in Renaissance Florence. He became known for his prophecies of civic glory, his advocacy of the destruction of secular art and culture, and his calls for Christian renewal. He denounced clerical corruption, despotic rule, and the exploitation of the poor." The Friar intervened in September of 1494, when King Charles VIII of France invaded Italy and threatened Florence; the ruling Medicis were expelled and, at Savonarola's urging, a new "popular" republic was brought to bear under his enlisting of Florentine youth. Later, he defied a Pope and preached while under a clerical ban and campaigned for reform in the Catholic Church by holding "bonfires of the vanities" and sponsoring pious theatricals. Much mayhem ensued. He was excommunicated by Pope Alexander in May 1497 "and threatened to place Florence under an interdict." A rival Florentine preacher in April 1498 tried to test Savonarola's alleged "divine mandate" but it turned into a fiasco. He lost popular opinion and, alongside two of his supporting friars, were imprisoned. "On 23 May 1498, Church and civil authorities condemned, hanged and burned their bodies in the main square of Florence" (Wikipedia). All in, a scarce title in still sturdy, still attractive condition.Member, I.O.B.A., C.B.A., and adherent to the highest ethical standards. Additional postage may be required for oversize or especially heavy volumes, and for sets.