[DANTE ALIGHIERI]. La Divina Commedia. Firenze: G. Barbera, Editore. 1901.
Barbera edition. Vellum-bound. Hardcover. Miniature (105 x 70 x 30 mm.), pp. [4], 604. Italian text. Contemporary hand-painted vellum binding with yapp edges and original leather ties, the upper cover incorporating a large initial "D" and decorative floral scroll designs with gilt studs in the manner of an illuminated manuscript, manuscript titles to spine and geometric lines and frames to spine and lower cover. Top edge dyed dark, fore edge and bottom page edges rough-cut. Initial and terminal blanks present. Portrait frontispiece with tissue-guard. Title-page device. Contents: Life of Dante by F. Ugolini; L'inferno, Canto I-XXXIV; Il Purgatorio, Canto I-XXXIII; Il Paradiso, Canto I-XXXIII. Condition: VERY GOOD. Collated complete. Binding tight and secure with very slight lean, the hinges intact. Covers well preserved, however there is some smudging to the painting on the upper cover. Contents largely very clean and without previous ownership markings. The original leather ties are complete and firmly attached. Scarce. Notes: Period hand-painted vellum bindings are rare and highly collectable. The binding decorations are probably the work of the Giannini family workshop in Florence. It is likely executed by Giulio Giannini (1853-1931), though similar work was carried out by his son Guido (1877-1956) and grandson Giulio Junior (1901-1992).
