Lot Details

Description

Manzoni Alessandro (1785-1873). I promessi sposi storia milanese del secolo XVII scoperta e rifatta da Alessandro Manzoni. Milano. Presso Vincenzo Ferrario, 1825

Copy of the first edition in its first issue, of the so-called "Ventisettana".

Three octavo volumes (208 × 128 mm): [4], 352; [4], 368; [4], 416, [2] pp. Half-titles; errata leaf at the end of the third volume. Contemporary half tan calf over green marbled paper covered boards, spine with five raised bands, blind-tooled decoration, and gilt title. This is the first issue, identifiable by the reading "gioia carnale" ("carnal joy") instead of "gioia mondana" ("worldly joy") on page 330 of the third volume, an error corrected by the author himself in some copies during the printing process. 

A total of 1,000 copies of this first edition were printed by the publisher Vincenzo Ferrario, as confirmed by a letter sent by Alessandro Manzoni to Giacomo Beccaria in December 1839: "Of the first edition I believe there were forty editions, one of them mine, consisting of one thousand copies; the others, I believe, amounted altogether to 59,000; which means that I received only one-sixtieth of the purchasers." This exceptionally desirable first-issue copy preserves one of the most important textual points distinguishing the earliest state of the celebrated Ventisettana edition.

Dimensions

8° (8,19x5,04mm), 3 volumes: [4], 352; [4], 368; [4], 416, [2] pp.

Provenience

Private collection

Condition

Occasional foxing; minor defects.

Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers must understand that any statement made by Coradi Rare Finds is merely a subjective opinion.

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