In this list, we explore the art, literature, and culture of Italy. Although it is organized broadly—fine printing, illustrated books, children’s books, and a couple of books on Italian paper—what is striking about this grouping is how far-reaching and eclectic this selection is. Dante, of course, figures largely, from the Raamin-Presse’s juxtaposition of Goethe’s Faust with six songs from the Inferno, to Seamus Heaney’s translation of the Ugolino section of that same work, illustrated by Louis Le Brocquy. You will also find Dylan Thomas translated into Italian, as well as an Italian Christmas tale, retold by a Caldecott award-winner.
(Leeds, MA): Gehenna Press, 1989. Quarto. (13)pp, (25)ff. One of thirty-eight copies. A collection of etchings of cats by the Italian artist Anna Maria Bartolini, some of which are printed on pink mulberry paper and tipped in. All are signed by the artist in graphite. Some of the cats are..... More
Milan: Ulrico Hoepli, 1945. Folio. (14)ff., two of which fold out, + (7) strips. Intact and unused paper activity book designed by Italian artist Edina Altara. Includes a wide variety of colorful paper toys and dolls: an illusionist, finger-puppet dancing girls, a three-dimensional carousel, a regiment of soldiers, birds and..... More
Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company, 1898. Small quarto. (55)pp. Eight woodcut illustrations and each page with black floral borders. A fine rendering of John Keats's poem adapted from Boccacio's Decameron. In it, a young woman engaged to marry a nobleman falls in love with a commoner. When her brothers discover..... More
Verona: Officina Bodoni, 1944. Quarto. 354pp. One of 165 copies. Contains the original Italian text of 150 sonnets, with German translations by Rudolf Freiherr von Simolin, Hans Rheinfelder, and Otto Freiherr von Taube, printed on the facing pages. Mint in linen-backed decorated boards and cardboard slipcase. (Mardersteig 64). More
Verona: Officina Bodoni, 1974. Tall octavo. (58)pp. One of 150 copies. Contains the English text, which was translated from the Latin by Betty Radice. Unlike the rare incunable from which this text is taken, which was printed in 1489 by Paulus Fridenperger, Mardersteig here makes use of several beautiful decorations..... More
(Poiano, Italy: Franco Riva, 1979). Folio. (6)ff. One of 120 copies. Illustrated with a frontispiece etching by Italian artist Ernesto Treccani, with his signature in pencil below. A translation of Dylan Thomas' poem into Italian by Anna Maria Faccini. Part of the "Lectura Dominica" series issued by Franco Riva. Leaves..... More
