1890 Italian Vellum Book - La Divina Commedia di Dante Alighieri, Divine Comedy

Author: Dante Alighieri.
Title: La Divina Commedia.
Publisher: Firenze, G. Barbèra, Editore, 1890.
Language: Text in Italian.
Size: Small 4 x 3 inches.
Pages: 604 pages.
Binding: Exquisite and near fine full vellum binding by the Giannini Family, adorned with intricate gilt decorations. The front cover features a hand-painted red fleur-de-lis, a symbol of Florence, skillfully applied by the Giannini artisans. Gilt borders and spine embellishments add to the elegance of this finely crafted binding (hinges fine) under a protective removable mylar cover. All edges red.
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing and toning - as shown).
Illustrations: Includes an engraved frontispiece of Dante Alighieri, enhancing the book’s aesthetic and historical value.

The book: A stunning late 19th-century Florentine edition of Dante's masterpiece La Divina Commedia, one of the greatest literary works in the Italian language. This particular edition, published by G. Barbèra in Florence, represents a superb fusion of literary significance and artisanal craftsmanship. The Giannini Family, renowned for their high-quality bindings, has created an elegant vellum binding that pays homage to Dante’s Florentine heritage. The vivid hand-painted fleur-de-lis on the cover is a direct nod to the poet's birthplace, making this book a collector's treasure.

The author: Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) was an Italian poet, philosopher, and statesman, best known for La Divina Commedia. Considered one of the most significant literary works in history, the poem is divided into three parts—Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso—detailing Dante's allegorical journey through the afterlife. His work not only shaped Italian literature but also deeply influenced Western thought and culture.