[DANTE ALIGHIERI]. The Paradiso. London: J. M. Dent, MDCCCCI. [1901].
Hardcover. Third edition thus. Vellum-bound. The Temple Classics, edited by Israel Gollancz, M.A. Duodecimo (160 x 95 mm.), pp. 418. Dual Italian - English text. Contemporary hand-painted vellum binding with beveled edges, the upper cover incorporating a large initial "P" and decorative floral scroll designs with gilt studs in the manner of an illuminated manuscript, manuscript titles to spine and geometric and floral scroll designs to lower cover. Fore edge and bottom page edges uneven. Fleur-de-lis repeat pattern endpapers. Half-title. Frontispiece with tissue-guard. Decorative title-page printed in red and black - with ornamental border. Illustrations in the text. Shoulder-notes. Editor's notes to rear. Printed by Turnbull and Spears, Edinburgh. Edited by Mr H. Oelsner, M.A., Ph.D. Contents: Paradiso, Canto I-XXXIII. Condition: VERY GOOD. Collated complete. Binding tight and secure. Covers vey well preserved with light rubbing to extremities only. Contents clean, some leaves remaining uncut. Neatly inked inscription to fep dated 1910.
Note: 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).
