Torquato Tasso / [Bernardo Castello (illustrations)] - La Gerusalemme Liberata di Torquato Tasso. Adorata con bellissime figure a ciascun canto - 1628

La Gerusalemme Liberata di Torquato Tasso. Adorata con bellissime figure a ciascun canto – Torquato Tasso / [Bernardo Castello (illustrations)]

Venetia [Venice]: Giacomo Hertz, 1628. [14], 244 pages. 22.5cm x 16.5cm. Hardcover with marbled boards, gilt decorated and lettered spine, and green edges. Early edition of this illustrated mythical poem by Torquato Tasso which was first published with the illustrations in 1590. Beautifully illustrated with a frontispiece, several head- and tailpieces and engraved initials, as well as 19 (originally 20) full page engravings, all after designs by Bernardo Castello and engraved by Agostino Carracci und Giacomo Franco.
Rubbing, bumping, wear, and some damage to the boards and spine, The front board has some creases, and the surface of the spin is chipping off. The lower outer corners of the pages have some water staining and some damage to the paper, which was restored up until page 70. The frontispiece had some damage and is reinforced with tape on the front and back (see photos). The illustration for page 1 is also taped on the front and back, not affecting the illustration (see photo). The book is not complete. Pages 105-112 (including the full-page engraving for chapter 10), and pages 217-224 are missing. Page 175 has a tear in the left corner, not affecting the content, and page 177 has the bottom corner torn off, also not affecting the text. There is a small tear in the top corner of page 228. The text and illustrations are clear, and the binding is solid. Overall, a copy in poor condition.