Dante Alighieri; Gustave Doré - L'Enfer - 1861





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Description from the seller
Monumental large-format edition of the first and most famous part of the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri – "L'Enfer" (Hell). The book was printed in Paris by the celebrated Imprimerie Générale de Ch. Lahure. This magnificent volume features the complete French translation by Pier-Angelo Fiorentino, accompanied by the original Italian text running alongside. The crowning glory is the complete artistic accompaniment by the genius Gustave Doré, containing the original portrait of Dante and a total of 75 full-page wood engravings (xylographies) on thick plates outside the text. The volume is housed in its original publisher's half-leather binding with prestigious gilt lettering and a luxury all-gilt edge.
In terms of preservation, the book remains strong and structurally sound. The leather spine and corners show significant period patina and wear; the spine is scuffed in places and has a approx. 3 cm tear along the upper joint (fold), which is common for volumes of this weight. The corners are bumped and the cloth boards show minor surface scuffing. The inner leaves are tight with occasional light foxing, but the actual engraving plates remain in very clean, deep, and beautifully contrasting condition.
The book will be very carefully packaged and shipped promptly via a reliable international courier.
Seller's Story
Monumental large-format edition of the first and most famous part of the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri – "L'Enfer" (Hell). The book was printed in Paris by the celebrated Imprimerie Générale de Ch. Lahure. This magnificent volume features the complete French translation by Pier-Angelo Fiorentino, accompanied by the original Italian text running alongside. The crowning glory is the complete artistic accompaniment by the genius Gustave Doré, containing the original portrait of Dante and a total of 75 full-page wood engravings (xylographies) on thick plates outside the text. The volume is housed in its original publisher's half-leather binding with prestigious gilt lettering and a luxury all-gilt edge.
In terms of preservation, the book remains strong and structurally sound. The leather spine and corners show significant period patina and wear; the spine is scuffed in places and has a approx. 3 cm tear along the upper joint (fold), which is common for volumes of this weight. The corners are bumped and the cloth boards show minor surface scuffing. The inner leaves are tight with occasional light foxing, but the actual engraving plates remain in very clean, deep, and beautifully contrasting condition.
The book will be very carefully packaged and shipped promptly via a reliable international courier.

