MASTER OF THE DIE (fl. 1532-1550), after Michiel Coxie I

[The Story of Cupid and Psyche (Bartsch 39-69)]

[Rome]: Antonio Salamanca, ca 1530-60. Suite of 30 (of 32) engravings, each approximately 200 x 238mm plate, 264 x 326mm sheets, on laid paper. 18th-century vellum with manuscript title on spine, sheet edges gilt, later endpapers. Provenance: Vittorio Querini (bookplate). Some foxing, occasional marginal tears and light edgewear, hinges cracked, spine with some wear and small losses. Item #407233

A nearly complete set of this celebrated series of engravings, with wide margins (lacking the final two in the series [i.e. 31 and 32]), second state of the plate with verses (i.e. state three of four), with the addition of Salamanca's name.

According to the British Museum catalogue: "The series consists of 32 numbered plates, 3 by Agostino Veneziano (plates 4,7 and 13), the remainder by the Master of the Die (who only marked plates 6 and 9). Bartsch thought that the plates were designed by Raphael, but Vasari correctly stated that they were after Coxie. The number order of the plates given by Bartsch follows the story, and does not always correspond to the numbering written on the plates themselves.

"Traditionally four states of the plates have been noted: 1. before the verses in the margin; 2. with the verses; 3. with the addition of Salamanca's address; and 4. with Salamanca's name replaced by Rossi's (on first plate only?).... The traditional account is, however, inaccurate. As has been noted by Christopher Mendez, the first state before the verses is in fact from a different set of plates, which were then accurately copied for the Salamanca edition. Of the two sets of plates, it is the earlier that is by the Master of the Die (his monogram is on the first version of plate 6)."

Price: $1,500.00