Three bindings made for Paolo Giordano Orsini from «Wotton’s Binder C» are preserved in the Cerruti Collection (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). Paolo Giordano Orsini, Duke of Bracciano, Marquis of Anguilla (1535 or 1537-85), came from a famous Roman family. He was a nephew of Cardinal Sforza. In 1553 he became engaged to Isabella de’ Medici, daughter of Cosimo I, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Orsini impaled the Medici arms, although he and Isabella married only in 1558. He was a distinguished soldier, who fought as General of the Venetian infantry against the Turks and was wounded at the battle of Lepanto in 1571. 

All books known to have been owned by him were printed in Italy, but they were bound in Paris, by “Wotton’s Binder C”, who worked during the 1540s and 1550s until at least 1563. He probably acquired them when visiting France in 1556.¹ on the binding the arms have been rather carelessly applied. 

Mirjam Foot 

¹ Hobson A. 1953, no. 18; Foot 1978-2010, vol. I, pp. 146, 149-150 (note 77), 152-154.