The Divina Commedia of Dante Alighieri
By Dante Alighieri
T. Cadell Jun. and W. Davies, in the Strand, London, 1802. Three volumes. Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) was a major Italian poet. He has been called the father of the Italian language and is one of the most admired and influential poets ever. His book, The Divina Commedia, is a masterpiece of world literature and is considered by many to be the greatest poem of the Middle Ages. The Divina Commedia describes Dante s journey through Hell (Inferno), Purgatory (Purgatorio) and Paradise (Paradiso). The work was translated into many European languages well before it was translated into English. The lack of English translations was due in part to Dante s Catholic views thought to be of little interest to Protestant English audiences. The first complete translation of the Divina Commedia, this set, was first published in 1802. The translator was the Rev. Henry Boyd. Boyd was most likely educated at Trinity College, Dublin. At the time the book was published, the Rev. Boyd was the vicar of Rathfryland, County Down, Northern Ireland. He was also chaplain to the Right Honourable Charles William, Lord Viscount Charleville, to whom this work was dedicated. The books are bound in contemporary mottled leather that has started to flake. The front cover hinges show some cracking at the bottom but are still very sound. The books are nice and square and are very solidly bound and unrestored. The lower book label on the spine of volume III is missing. It would read Vol. III on two lines. Marbled endpapers with two previous owners bookplates. The volumes are collated 100% correct. The page sizes are 208 x 128mm. Vol I frontispiece portrait of Dante, title page, dedication iii to vi + 408 pp; Vol II half title, title page + 384pp; Vol III half title, title page + 420pp. There are very minor traces of damp staining and foxing here and there. Overall a very sound and attractive copy of a truly rare seminal work in world literature.
Published by: T. Cadell Jun. and W Davies, 1802
Vendor: Raven & Gryphon Fine Books
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By Dante Alighieri
T. Cadell Jun. and W. Davies, in the Strand, London, 1802. Three volumes. Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) was a major Italian poet. He has been called the father of the Italian language and is one of the most admired and influential poets ever. His book, The Divina Commedia, is a masterpiece of world literature and is considered by many to be the greatest poem of the Middle Ages. The Divina Commedia describes Dante s journey through Hell (Inferno), Purgatory (Purgatorio) and Paradise (Paradiso). The work was translated into many European languages well before it was translated into English. The lack of English translations was due in part to Dante s Catholic views thought to be of little interest to Protestant English audiences. The first complete translation of the Divina Commedia, this set, was first published in 1802. The translator was the Rev. Henry Boyd. Boyd was most likely educated at Trinity College, Dublin. At the time the book was published, the Rev. Boyd was the vicar of Rathfryland, County Down, Northern Ireland. He was also chaplain to the Right Honourable Charles William, Lord Viscount Charleville, to whom this work was dedicated. The books are bound in contemporary mottled leather that has started to flake. The front cover hinges show some cracking at the bottom but are still very sound. The books are nice and square and are very solidly bound and unrestored. The lower book label on the spine of volume III is missing. It would read Vol. III on two lines. Marbled endpapers with two previous owners bookplates. The volumes are collated 100% correct. The page sizes are 208 x 128mm. Vol I frontispiece portrait of Dante, title page, dedication iii to vi + 408 pp; Vol II half title, title page + 384pp; Vol III half title, title page + 420pp. There are very minor traces of damp staining and foxing here and there. Overall a very sound and attractive copy of a truly rare seminal work in world literature.
Published by: T. Cadell Jun. and W Davies, 1802
Vendor: Raven & Gryphon Fine Books
