Prose di Monsignor Stefano Rossi, Ligure

Firenze: Nella Stamperia Granducale, 1841.

4to. 265 x 200 mm., [10 ¼ x 8 inches].  xxvi, 244, [1] pp.  Gift binding, bound in full purple morocco, with a large border of three designs, including  an outer gilt boarder of Greek design, a wider decorative leaf and vine pattern gilt border and a single fillet gilt border, all enclosing a large, embossed lozenge of patterned acanthus leaves and vines filling the center of both boards; spine decorated with six gilt panels and the title in gilt at the top.  The endpapers are of a very finely patterned purple silk with a spiral design; preliminary leaves a bit foxed.  Excellent Condition.

Although unsigned, the execution of this binding, and high quality of the materials used suggest a highly skilled and practiced binder working for the state bindery of Florence.  The text is also very beautifully printed using a highly legible type for the text, highlighted with decorative ornaments and type at the beginning and end of chapters.  The paper stock is a very creamy white and the text is printed in the center of page leaving wide margins following the “golden rule” of page layout as practiced in early printed books. 

Monsignor Rossi was a highly decorated member of the Church, having degrees from Rome and Florence in theology and law, and member of many societies that catered to needs of the faithful.  He published essays cover many different subjects.  As the introduction says, he wrote about the sacred and the profane, pastoral and the academic, and some essays on the condition of man in society.  The essays offered to the public in this volume include his message on the Virgin as the Mother of God, the Nativity of the Christ Child, the Visitation of the Virgin and Elizabeth, and the saints, Vincenzo di Paolo, Pacifico da San-Severino, and Giuseppe Calassanzio.  He also wrote an essay on the Propagation of Faithful and the Assumption of the Virgin to heaven.