1616 Lettere del Signor Torquato Tasso Non Piv' Stampate, editor Guilio Segni

In 1616, Tasso superfan Guilio Segni compiled these out-of-print letters of Torquato Tasso; no boring collection, the 1785 Vita di Torquato Tasso (Pagliarini) stated “In these works Segni, in addition to the merit of being an outstanding collector, has provided us with very beautiful and well-written dedicatory letters, ten elegant Epigrams in the Temple, and another very ingenious one in the volume of letters in praise of Ferdinando Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua and Monferrato.”

Segni first approached Tasso, proclaiming his excellence, during Tasso's stay at the asylum/hospital of St. Anna. Tasso's warm welcome of Segni made them life-long friends. This friendship and long-acquaintance particularly suited Segni for the task of remembering Tasso after his passing.

This copy has an interesting relic of by-done days, a bottom-edge title; at other points in history books were organized on the shelf with their bottom-edge (and sometimes fore-edge) pointing out, rather than their spine.

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 entry, simply right-click in the text, if using Edge, and translate it to English).

Bibliographic Details -

Universal Short Title Catalogue (USTC) number 4023199, not rare, found in many of the world's best libraries.

OPAC SBN - LO1E 000922

Physical Attributes -

Soft vellum binding. Numerous manuscript titles and shelf marks to spine. Also, manuscript title on bottom edge. Sprinkled red text block edges. Printer's mark on title page. Measures approximately 21 x 14 x 3 cm. Signed in four.

Pages - viii, 480

Collation - a4, A-Z4, Aa-Zz4, Aaa-Ooo4

Condition -

See pictures. Binding with wear, rubbing, etc.; top front corner has chipping. Somone wrote on the front board, stating that it was in the library of Trifrino in Vicenza. Spine with a little darkening, shelf number, label, various manuscript titles. Bottom edge with title in manuscript. Top edge a little dusty. Trifrino in ink "1834" and various shelfmarks on pastedown. A little separation at gutter. Several worming tracks near gutter on first leaves. Also, some rust spots on title page and a chip at bottom edge. Toning, occasional thumbing, rust spots, occasional dog-eared pages and page edge chips throughout. The D gathering must have had more acid in the paper leaf as it has toned/foxed more than others. Candle ember mark on 427. Moisture mark on Kkk gathering. Last gathering more toned and foxed, with some holes in the last leaf at fore-edge margin. Ties peeking through rear pastedown, and no flyleaf.