La Divina Commedia di Dante.
Milano: Ulrico Hoepli, 1878. 499pp. One of 1,000 copies. The type, cut by Antonio Farina in 1834 but never used by him, was cast in 1850 for this edition of Dante and is thought to be the smallest ever employed. According to Bondy, "the most widely-discussed and the most sensational of all microscopic type-faces used in miniature books is undoubtedly the 'fly's eye type,' occhio di mosca, used by the brothers Salmin in Padua for their Dante of 1878." It took a full month to print just thirty pages of this work, which is said to have damaged the eyesight of both compositor and corrector. The printing of one thousand copies was completed "a gloria di Dante" in Padua in June 1878 under the supervision of Gaetano Gianuzzi. Afterwards, the type was distributed, and most of the printed leaves were purchased and published by Hoepli. Bound in the rare original wrappers, which show expected minor soiling. (Spielmann 114; Bondy, p. 95; Bromer/Edison, pp. 47-49; AAS 75; Mikrobiblion 77; Nauroy 45; Houghton 67-7; see Avery, Grolier, p. 129). (2 3/16 by 1 11/16; 55x44mm). Item #31900
Price: $2,250.00