La Divina Commedia di Dante Alighieri T. I-II.

One work in two volumes in 8° (143 x 87 mm). viii, 288; 319, [1] pages. Engraved title-pages, executed by Pompeo Lapi, uncounted in the foliation and collation. Three plates in the first volumes, depicting respectively Dante's portrait, dated 1777 and designed and engraved by Giovanni Lapi, and a folded map of Hell based on Antonio Manetti's iconographical diagram and engraved by R. Spadaccini (Profilo, pianta, e misure dell'Inferno di Dante); two plates in the second volume, illustrating two cantos of the Purgatorio and of the Paradiso, Uniformly bound in calf moucheté. Smooth spine, divided in compartments by gilt fillet, with title and volume numbering lettered in gilt on double letering-pieces. Marbled pastedowns and flyleaves. Pale red silk bookmarks. Lower corners of the first volume lightly rubbed. A very good copy, some quires in the second volume printed on pale blue paper. Slightly stained and foxed.

Provenance: the Ravenna count Giulio Rasponi (1787-1876), husband of Luisa Giulia (1805-1889), daughter of Gioacchino Murat e Carolina Bonaparte; ex-libris on the front pastedowns of each volume); Livio Ambroglo collection.

First edition of this finely printed Commedia, accompanied by plates influenced by the engravings included in the Zatta edition of 1757-1758. Here presented in a copy with a distinguished provenance.