The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. Translated by John Ciardi. With the Engravings of Gustave Dore. Published by Franklin Library for the Oxford University Press in 1985.
A beautiful printing of this title, from the best produced series by a modern fine printer (Easton Press, Folio Society, etc) which remains in extremely high demand both for their scarcity and just how luxuriously these were produced.
This series was never open to be purchased publicly and was available through private invitation only in November 1981, once only.
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The greatest production of Franklin Library was the Oxford Library of the World's Greatest Books in full leather. These are some of the finest modern productions of books, and far superior to the books produced by Easton Press, etc, where most of the later Franklin Library books are of much inferior quality: faux leather, quarter leather, etc.
They were originally advertised as "the most distinguished edition of leather-bound books published in our time", with each containing beautiful illustrations, often from artists such as Tenniel, Gustave Dore, Rowlandson, etc. Since these were issued monthly, one would have to continue through the entire subscription, taking 50 months to complete the collection. Subsequently, some of the volumes towards the end of the run are especially rare such as Alice in Wonderland, The Brothers Karamazov, Dante's Divine Comedy, etc.
To complete this set by buying them individually is very difficult because they are so very rare. It can be done with time and patience; there are not very many complete sets of this left worldwide, especially in the UK. At the time of writing we have a near complete set of the original 50 (47/50) which we are offering individually for others to be able to complete their sets or begin new ones.
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Size: 170 x 232 mm (approx.)
Condition:
Overall in fine condition. Original publisher's full leather binding finely decorated in gilt. All page edges gilt, some light marks as typical else near fine. Retaining the original silk page marker, unfrayed. Joints and hinges secure and without fault, both boards securely attached with the binding secure and without shelf lean. Without any attached bookplates or ownership inscriptions. Internally in fine condition through the entire text block, appearing completely unread. Complete with the original publisher's notes. Quite possibly the greatest obtainable copy of this very rare fine printing of this title.
