Ferroni Printers, Bologna

While Wheaton's set of thirteen volumes was not all printed at the same time, research shows that almost all of the volumes were printed in Bologna by the Ferroni family between 1638 and 1668. For instance, the Orinthology volumes, I, II, and IV, were printed in 1652 by Giovanni Battista Ferroni for Marco Antonio Bernia. Volume III (Insects) was printed by Clemente Ferroni in 1630. Volume V (Mollusca, Crustacea, Testacea, and Zoophytes) was printed in 1654 by G. B. Ferroni for M. A. Bernia. Volume VI (Fish), however, was printed in 1661 by Nicolo Tebaldini for M. A. Bernia. Volume VII (Solid-hoofed Quadrupeds) was printed in 1648 by G. B. Ferroni for M. A. Bernia. Volume VIII (Bisulcated Quadrupeds) was printed in 1653 by G. B. Ferroni for M. A. Bernia. Volume IX (Oviparous Quadrupeds) was printed in 1663 by G. B. Ferroni for M. A. Bernia. Volume X (Serpents and Dragons) was printed in 1640 by C. Ferroni for M. A. Bernia. Volume XI (Monsters) was printed in 1658 by G. B. Ferroni for M. A. Bernia. Volume XII (Minerals and Mining) was printed in 1648 by G. B. Ferroni for M. A. Bernia. And finally, Volume XIII (Dendrology) was printed in 1668 by G. B. Ferroni for Girolamo Bernia.

What we can deduce from this information is that the thirteen volume set was commissioned over a series of years by the Bernia family (primarily Marco Antonio Bernia, who was a book designer). All of the volumes were printed by either Giovanni Battista or Clemente Ferroni, except for Volume VI, which was printed by Nicolo Tebaldini. Further research did not reveal a specific address for the Ferroni family's printing business. Once the volumes were finished, they were either kept within the Bernia family, or sold to interested buyers in Bologna. Due to the fact that all or most of the volumes in the Wheaton College Permanent collection were printed and designed by and for the same individuals either suggests that the set was kept as a complete unit, or that the Ferronis and Bernias printed many copies of each volume.

Sources:

Christie's Lot Finder. http://christies.co.uk/LotFinder

http://m.christies.com/sale/lot/sale/22597/lot/5382509/p/5/from//?KSID=cb57623839944c153f51311cf6a8b374

Image is under the public domain, accessed April 23, 2014.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mappa_di_Bologna_del_Blaeu.jpg