ANDREINI, Isabella (1562-1604). Rime d'Isabella Andreini padovana comica Gelosa. Milan: Girolamo Bordone, Pietromartire Locarni, 1601. First edition of the songbook of the celebrated Paduan comedienne, with a single recorded auction passage (Swann, 2004, RBH), one of the first poetic collections published by a woman in late Renaissance Italy. Isabella Andreini, a celebrated actress in the company of the Gelosi, was known not only for her theatrical talent but also for her refined culture, scarce for a woman of the time. The Rhymes, inspired by the Petrarchan tradition, show her ability to treat amorous and moral themes with sensitivity and complexity, projecting the female figure into the realm of high culture literature. Her work helped elevate the role of women in both theatre and literature, anticipating some aspects of the Baroque and women's themes in the European literary landscape. 4to, (202 x 148mm). Author's portrait on verso of title page, printer's device to title page, woodcut initials and headpieces (waterstain to upper margin). Contemporary vellum binding with handwritten title to spine (chipping to outer margin of first boards). 'Joannes Franc...' contemporary ownership inscription on endpapers; Medici library card dated in pencil 1955 on endpapers. (1)