The Imitation of Christ. Four Books
Leipzig, Bernhard Tauchnitz, 1877 (first thus).
Octavo, 288 pages plus 10 original albumen paper photographs on card mounts.
In a handsome binding of full parchment, hand-painted in red and gilt; all edges gilt; binder's ticket 'Giulio Giannini | Parchment Works | 19 20 | Piazza Pitti | Florence'; spine lightly faded; contemporary gift inscription (dated 1903); corners slightly thumbed; a few other minor signs of age and handling; in excellent condition, with the very good cloth-covered slipcase.
An attractive Florentine binding featuring the Marzocco (heraldic lion of Florence) supporting an escutcheon charged with the Giglio of Florence. The binding is from the well-known workshop of Giulio Giannini (Piazza Pitti), who specialised in fine bindings such as this for the Edwardian tourist trade. Extra-illustrated with ten original albumen silver photographs of paintings in Florentine collections (many by Raphael). Loosely inserted is a hand-painted parchment bookmark, once again featuring the Giglio, and with the motto 'Pagine buone, ore liete e serene'. This Tauchnitz edition is translated from the Latin by W. Benham, Vicar of Margate.
Item #147221
Price (AUD):
$900.00