[ORDER OF MALTA]. Statuta hospitalis Hierusalem [WITH:] Index materium. Rome: [s.n.], 1588. Rare and elegant illustrated work, the fourth revision of the Statutes of the Hospitallers of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Edited by Commander Giambattista Rondinelli and dedicated to Grand Master Hugues Loubens de Verdalle, the volume is adorned with 40 full-page copper engravings, including 51 portrait medallions of the Grand Masters by Philippe Thomassin, as well as key episodes from the Order's history, battles, a fine map of Malta, and a plan of Valletta. Folio, 2 parts in 1 volume (327 x 230mm). Allegorical engraved title-page, one plate depicting Pope Sixtus V, a series of engraved portraits of the Grand Masters of the Order by Philippe Thomassin (including a frontispiece and 51 medallion portraits across 13 full-page plates), 21 engraved plates in the text within woodcut borders, title of index within woodcut border, initials, tailpieces and border decorations (minor and occasional marginal repairs, overall a very good copy). Bound in later vellum, gilt lettering-piece to spine. Copy without the plate bearing the motto 'Ex candido et propinquo', present in some copies but not mentioned by Mortimer. (1)