edited by Lodovico Dolce, drop-head title enclosed within decorative woodcut cartouche, printer's woodcut device on title and colophon, woodcut initials and decorations, light library stamp on title, bookplate on front endpapers including that of the Fry Family Library, late 17th century morocco, gilt borders and spine compartments, rubbed at spine ends, g.e., [cf. Adams C940], 12mo, Venice, Gabriel Giolito de Ferrari, 1562. An attractive pocket-sized edition of Castiglione's famous Book of the Courtier , a key work amongst Italian Renaissance publications and one which had a profound impact on the high concept of the "English gentleman" via the 1561 translation by Thomas Hoby. Lodovico Dolce (c.1510-68) was a prodigious intellectual figure in 16th century Venice, famous largely for his Dialogue on Painting and his numerous editions of important classical and Italian works printed by Gabriel Giolito de Ferrari between 1542 & 1568.