Description: La Divina Commedia or the Divine vision of Dante Alighieri in Italian & English, Nonesuch Press, 1928. DESCRIPTION: No. 207 of 1475 copies. Large quarto (4to.) 12 1/4 x 8 1/4 inches (312 x 214 mm), [2]. 325 pp., colophon, [2]. Bilingual edition printed in double column with Italian on verso column, English on recto column. Printed letterpress by the Westminster Press in Poliphilus Roman and Blado italic small letters on Van Gelder paper. 42 illustrations after the drawings by Sandro Botticelli, expertly reproduced by Atelier Daniel Jacoumet of Paris in sepia collotype, with several double-page spreads. Rebinding by Sangorski & Sutcliffe in maroon full morocco with gilt ruled borders on both covers, five bands on spine with gilt ruling around each compartment. gilt pinpoint dots across each band, and gilt titling. Top edge gilt. Inner leather bands double gilt ruled. Stamp signed in gilt on lower leather strip inside front cover, a hallmark of the finest bindings by S & S. Slipcase covered in matching fine buckram cloth with gently rounded opening edges, lined with grey felt cloth. Protected with clear archival Dura Lar dustwrapper. CONDITION: Both book and slipcase are in fine condition. No issues whatsoever. DISCUSSION: This is one of the major publications of the Nonesuch Press and one of their most popular and sought after. The original orange vellum and gilt binding proved problematic, highly susceptible to soiling, sun-fading and drying of the spine, and bowing of the covers due to drying and retraction of the orange vellum. The deluxe morocco S & S binding will be far more durable, eliminating these problems in future years. Although there are several more recent private press editions of The Divine Comedy with wonderful illustrations, the classic finely detailed drawings by Early Renaissance master Sandro Botticelli reign supreme. The rare copies with original orange vellum binding in NF or fine condition routinely sell for between $2,500 to $3,500 from booksellers. This copy is a chance to acquire it in a top-notch Sangorski & Sutcliffe full morocco binding in fine condition at substantially less cost. Please examine the photographs carefully and ask all questions prior to purchase as sale is final and returns will not be accepted. Domestic shipping via UPS with tracking and Signature Required is $25. International sale is restricted to Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy and Australia. Shipping cost with USPS International Priority Mail with tracking is in the $65-$85 range depending on location but will be shipped at my actual cost. Ignore eBay shipping cost estimates which are always inaccurate.
Price: 1600 USD
Location: Peoria, Illinois
End Time: 2024-08-12T00:24:21.000Z
Shipping Cost: 25 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Special Attributes: Illustrated, Limited Edition
Subject: Poetry
Topic: Classics
Binding: Fine Binding
Language: English
Author: Dante Alighieri
Publisher: Nonesuch Press
