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Berdini, Vincenzo (fl. mid-17th century) Historia dell'Antica, e Moderna Palestina, Descritta in Tre Parti.
Venice Appresso Gio. Battista Surian, 1642.
First edition, quarto, three parts in one volume with divisional title pages; woodcut arms to each title page; half-title present; A3 & A4 in the first part bound after instead of before the Tavola in error; leaf edges uncut throughout; bound in contemporary limp cartonnage binding (some foxing to preliminaries; L2 in third part with clean tear repaired); 9 1/2 x 6 1/2 in.
We know only a little about Berdini, derived mainly from this work. He was a Franciscan friar who served as General Commissary for the Holy Land beginning in 1615. His goal was to craft an accurate history and account of Palestine for the next generation of Franciscan missionaries. The work is structured as a historical narrative, beginning in the Christian era. The third part is of interest as it draws from Berdini's firsthand account of the ethnic and religious makeup of the region in the 17th century. He notes the diversity of beliefs, languages and practices used by people living there, a diverse group made more diverse by the influx of outside pilgrims. He describes communal hymns sung together in groups by believers coming from different traditions.
