'Regole di blasone Compendiate per il nobilissimo colleggio di Parma [...]'

Bookseller Notes

This volume comprises two substantial and apparently unpublished late seventeenth-century treatises in a fine calligraphic hand. The first is a detailed work on heraldry, in which Lampugnani meticulously illustrates the main conventions which govern heraldry in nearly one hundred fine diagrams. He explains the ways in which a blazon or shield can be broken down, and what the portions signify, before describing the types of ground and specific heraldic symbols. The second work, entitled 'Gioco di Armi' is a potted guide to the Italian principalities and major European monarchies, describing their history, geography, and reigning sovereigns. It is a fascinating view of late seventeenth-century Europe, including two interesting pages dedicated to England, Scotland and Ireland.Alessandro Lampugnani belonged to a noble Parmense family (the family library has been subject to some scholarly attention), He wrote these works for the Collegio dei Nobili di Parma, although it is unclear whether his connection to the institution was as student, teacher or both. Founded by Ranuccio I Farnese in 1601, the College had some three hundred students at its peak towards the end of the seventeenth century, when our author was active. It produced bishops, cardinals, a pope (Innocent X) and many intellectuals including Cesare Beccaria and Pietro Verri.