1st edition. 1587 Dell'Arte Poetica... Torquato Tasso. Vassalini, Ferrara.

1587 first edition of Dell'Arte Poetica; et in particolare del Poema Heroico (Discorsi del Signor Torquato Tasso), published to the displeasure of Tasso as he had not completed the work and it was, in essence, pirated.

In this work, Tasso discusses the Heroic work he authored (Gerusalemme Liberata). A manuscript of the work, in posession of Cardinal Scipione Aldobrandini, found its way to the editor Giovanni Battista Licinio, who published them (Yale University Worldcat entry, 54239482).

Tasso complained that he wished he could have reviewed, edited, dedicated and enlarged the work before publication, and was very offended by the editor (La Vita di Torquato Tasso..., Serassi, page 397, 1795).

There is some bibliographical discussion that this book was actually published by Aldus Manutius family... but I'm skeptical.

Tasso then expanded the publications three books to six, which were printed in Naples in 1594.

About the Author -

Tasso led an interesting, well-documented, and eventful life. I'd recommend reading his wikipedia entry (the best being the Italian wiki, then translate it to English). At the time of publication of this 1587 book, Tasso's heroic work on Jerusalem was just lately to the print in a version Tasso approved of, and Tasso was just recently released from an asylum.

Provenance -

This copy with the large bookplate of Constance and Paul Rittenhouse. Constance Rittenhouse was the National Director of the Girl Scouts of America. Her biography, (p. 524, Current Biography,1948 edition), reveals an intelligent, ambitious, learned and impressive woman of action; a loving wife and business executive, active in establishing the rights of others, the betterment of children, and with a great love for the outdoors.

As Constance Morgan Rittenhouse she wrote a book, Abbie Higgins, Young Group Executive, which was described as "A girl scout leader learns her profession and chooses this as a career"

Previous Sales -

Christie's sale of Libri Autografi e Stampe (2004) notes a very similarly bound copy (Lot 177; result - 719 Euro), but not the same copy as our copy does not have worming.

Bibliographic Details -

Universal Short Title Catalogue (USTC) number 858376, not rare, found in many of the world's best libraries.

Censimento Nazionale delle Edizioni Italiane del XVI Secolo reference number 41069.

Worldcat OCLC catalogue number 10810969.

Physical Attributes -

Hardcover. Marble paper covering the boards, vellum corners, and a shagreen-like spine (with decorative design impressed) and a leather spine label. Measures approximately 19 x 14 x 1.75 cm. Signed in four. Printer's mark on the title page. Some headers and endpieces. Printed decorative initials.

Pages - viii, 109

Collation - t4, A-Z4, Aa-Dd4

Condition -

See pictures. Binding with edge wear, rubbing, etc. Corners lightly bumped. Large bookplate to pastedown. No front blank endpapers. 1836 Italian inscription on title page (and another small word), also an inkstain and the R in the title has been stolen and replaced. Thumbing, occasional rust and ink spots, and toning throughout. Verso E4 with ink smudge. Dd2 verso with note in graphite in margin. "314" written on rear pastedown.