Title: La divina commedia di Dante Alighieri. >>...
Publisher: G.Barbera. Firenze.
Publication Date: 1898
Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Very Good
vii, 455 printed pages. Colour portrait frontispiece. Title page in black with red central rose decoration. Floral decorated endpapers. Later ink ownership signature on verso of front free endpaper. All edges red (little faded and with tiny black spot). A few corners slightly creased. 48 x 65 mm. Original black morocco with ornate stamped design. Spine with gilt titling above mandala motif with scrolling hearts and laurel leaf boughs above and below (slightly rubbed). Boards with central titling cartouche of strapwork and with scrolling feuron cornerpieces with laurel boughs, all within double linned gilt borders (corners a little worn). Dante was born in Florence in 1265. The Alighieri family came from a branch of the house of Elisei, founded by the wife of Cacciaguida, a warrior who died in the Second Crusade. Dante's parents (Alighiero di Bellincione Alighieri and Bella di Abati) were minor nobility, so he grew up among the aristocracy. Florence was utterly central to his life, but he ended up in exile & Dante died prematurely in Ravenna. However, it was during his exile that he began writing his great work The Divine Comedy. Dante chose the title because even though it begins tragically (Inferno), it ends pleasantly (Paradiso). The three-part epic poem was first published in 1320. Welsh, 2170. Seller Inventory # 5202