Ximenes Rare Books Inc

Alfieri, Vittorio Memoirs of the life and writings London  1810

Alfieri, Vittorio. Memoirs of the life and writings of Victor Alfieri; written by himself. Translated from the Italian. London: printed for Henry Colburn, 1810. x, (5)-286; (6), (5)-328 pp. Two vols., 8vo, full late 19th-century polished motttled calf, gilt, spines and inner dentelles gilt, contrasting red and green morocco labels, a.e.g., by Bedford. First edition in English; the Italian text had first appeared in 1804. A major literary autobiography, "a work which will always be read with interest." -- Encyclopaedia Britannica. Alfieri's plays had an important role in the development of modern Italian literature. This set is in a rather sumptuous collector's binding, which was executed by Bedford for Lady Currie, the poet and novelist who wrote under the pseudonym "Violet Fane." This latter name is stamped in gilt, along with a floral ornament, on both the front and back covers; on each pastedown is a printed ticket from the sale of her library on June 14, 1906, a year after her death. In fine condition; this is the first "Violet Fane" binding we have come across.

£400

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