La commedia. Col commento inedito di Stefano Talice da Ricaldone pubblicato per cura di Vincenzo Promis bibliotecario di S. M. e di Carlo Negroni socio della commissione dei testi di lingua.

La commedia. Col commento inedito di Stefano Talice da Ricaldone pubblicato per cura di Vincenzo Promis bibliotecario di S. M. e di Carlo Negroni socio della commissione dei testi di lingua.

Milan:

Ulrico Hoepli,

1888

Three volumes, octavo (230 x 148 mm). Contemporary vellum, smooth spines intricately tooled in gilt, black roan labels, initials "W.N.B" in gilt at foot of spines, covers framed with black roan onlay borders and richly gilt with foliate and fleur-de-lys designs, red decal fleur-de-lys centrepieces, floral gilt roll on turn-ins, gilt fleur-de-lys patterned endpapers, top edges gilt, red silk bookmarkers.

Second Talice da Ricaldone edition, but the first commercially available, with an expanded preface. The contemporary Italian vellum bindings, with gilt and onlay details, are very similar in style to the work of the Florentine binder Giulio Giannini, who found enduring success in supplying the literary and aesthetic taste of late-Victorian English Grand Tour travellers. The first edition of 1886, published in Turin in one volume (rather than three), "was not for sale but was distributed through official circles to certain libraries and individuals" (Koch).
One of Hoepli's most famous and successful editions of Dante, this work became known as "il Dante del Re" (the King's Dante), because it was commissioned by Umberto I as a gift for his son, prince Vittorio Emanuele.

From the Collection of Rick Davis

DANTE ALIGHIERI.

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