Mossèn Jacinto Verdaguer (Jacint Verdaguer) - La Atlántida - 1878-1878

Impressive and very rare exemplar of the true first bilingual edition of "La Atlàntida", the crown jewel of the Catalan poet Jacint Verdaguer and a keystone of the Renaixença. Published in Barcelona in 1878 by the renowned Jaume Jepús printing house.
This bibliographic art piece was entirely funded by the first Marqués de Comillas, D. Antonio López y López, after the resounding success of the poem at the Jocs Florals of 1877.
Technical and cataloging details:
Author: Mossèn Jacinto Verdaguer / Jacint Verdaguer.
Title: La Atlàntida (Poem).
Printer: Estampa de Jaume Jepús, Barcelona.
Year: 1878 (MDCCCLXXVIII).
Language: Bilingual edition with the original Catalan text and the Spanish translation by Melcior de Palau arranged on facing pages.
Material: Laid paper of the period, heavy weight and high quality.
Condition and binding:
Binding: Original period cloth binding with rich black and gold blind tooling on the upper cover.
Iconography: Magnificent pre-modernist design featuring allegorical elements: the Pillars of Hercules with the motto Plus Ultra, the Santa María caravel, a border of stars and vegetal motifs.
Condition: Very good overall for a specimen of almost 150 years. Structure and interior solid. Exhibits a natural patina of time (light foxing/oxidation spots on the paper) that attests to its absolute authenticity and age, without affecting readability. Minor and natural wear to the edges and corners of the binding. No home restorations or alterations.
An essential piece for museums, specialized libraries, and high-bibliofile 19th-century collectors.