1863 · Florence
by Berni, Francesco (1497-1535).
Florence: G. Barbera,, 1863. Collezione Diamante. Very Good. in-48 (11cm); xvii, [1], 461, [3] pages, and steel engraved portrait frontispiece with tissue guard. Bound in original publisher's wraps. Bookplate. Shelf wear, corners bumped, but no frays, tears or stains. References: Annali bibliografici, #135; Parenti, Rarità bibliografiche, #52.
The comic poet Francesco Berni is still underappreciated and largely unknown to anglophone readers. According to the Britannica (11th ed), "Berni stands at the head of Italian comic or burlesque poets. For lightness, sparkling wit, variety of form and fluent diction, his verses are unsurpassed." This edition was published in Gaspero Barbera's brilliant "Collezione Diamante" series of vest-pocket books printed in 7-point diamond type in a font based on Bodoni. 2000 copies were printed, and the edition sold out. The text, edited by Carlo Gargiolli, includes his poems, letters, plays, a literary essay in dialogue form, and Latin verse. (Inventory #: 4126)
The comic poet Francesco Berni is still underappreciated and largely unknown to anglophone readers. According to the Britannica (11th ed), "Berni stands at the head of Italian comic or burlesque poets. For lightness, sparkling wit, variety of form and fluent diction, his verses are unsurpassed." This edition was published in Gaspero Barbera's brilliant "Collezione Diamante" series of vest-pocket books printed in 7-point diamond type in a font based on Bodoni. 2000 copies were printed, and the edition sold out. The text, edited by Carlo Gargiolli, includes his poems, letters, plays, a literary essay in dialogue form, and Latin verse. (Inventory #: 4126)