Get auction updates for whatever you collect

Q

“Trois Dialogues de l’Exercice de Savter”, Archange Tuccaro, 1599

Sold at Auction See More Auction Results
We sold this item at auction for $5,000
 in February 2015.

This very rare first edition dates to 1599 and published in Vellum is complete with all 87 woodcuts and its original, large, exceedingly rare foldout woodcut illustration.

Written by Archange Tuccaro, this incredible and fascinating antique book comprises his monumental work on dance, acrobatics and exercise. Tuccaro’s illustrated work on acrobatics is widely recognized as one of the first tier illustrated books of the Renaissance. We sold this rare book at auction for $5,000.

The Trois Dialogues du Sr. Archange Tuccaro offers substantial details on theatrical dance during the late sixteenth century, and it represents the first printed work on floor exercises.

The text is divided into three “dialogues” set during the wedding festivities in Touraine in 1570: the first examines exercise as practiced in antiquity, the art of saltare and the importance of dance.

The second “dialogue” offers an in-depth description of acrobatic movements and is accompanied by a large number of skillfully-designed woodcuts showing trained acrobats performing leaps, somersaults, handstands, vaulting spins and twists, take-off and landing techniques.

The one woodcut that exceeds all others is the large folding plate showing an acrobat in three successive stages soaring through ten hoops held by ten men; the fold-out in this book measures 10 ¼” x 16 ½” inches and is in incredible condition, suffering only few minor tears. Woodcuts of this magnitude are exceptional in Renaissance works.

The third dialogue focuses on the medical benefits of formal exercise and its positive influence on human behavior and physical welfare – extremely ahead of its time!

If you’re interested in selling a rare book or collection at auction with us, check out our antique books consignment page for more information.

Looking to buy a similar rare book at auction? Get an email notification next time something like this comes to auction.

Get a Free Auction Estimate

Sell a similar item at auction with us.

We offer complimentary auction evaluations for high quality items such as this “Trois Dialogues de l’Exercice de Savter”, Archange Tuccaro, 1599.

Auction Highlights

Highlights of items previously sold at auction

Get Alerts for the Dickensiana Auction

 

Join our mailing list for email alerts on the 2023 Charles Dickens auction.

Thanks for your interest! You'll be hearing from us.

Get auction updates for whatever you collect!

 

Join our mailing list to receive periodic email alerts on our upcoming online auctions.

Let us know your area of collecting or interest and we'll send you updates on that particular subject.

What do you collect?

Thanks for your interest! You'll be hearing from us.

Get auction updates for similar items

 

Join our mailing list to receive periodic email alerts on our upcoming online auctions.

Let us know your area of collecting or interest and we'll send you updates on that particular subject.

What do you collect?

Thanks for your interest! You'll be hearing from us.