Boccoccio

[Shakespeare Head Press] THE DECAMERON (2 Volumes, Complete)

Oxford: Basil Blackwell by the Shakespeare Head Press, 1934. Half Leather. Very Good binding. Item #6822

Quarto. Volume I: xv, [1], 318, [1]; II: xvi, 268 pp., illus. Limited edition, numbered 90 of 325 copies. As issued, backed in blue morocco with corners and cream buckram over boards; top edges are rough gilded with bottom and fore-edge left deckled; marbled endpapers. Light rubbing to the bindings including some scuffing to the corners and the head and tail of the spines; cream buckram boards are a trifle soiled; endpaper is separated at the front hinge of Volume I, though the hinge remains solid; previous owner tasteful bookplate; contents are clean.

A wonderful example of Bernard Newdigate's Shakespeare Head Press operating at its finest. This edition reprinted from the translation printed by Issac Jaggard in 1625 with "wood-engravings recut by R. J. Beedham and E. Joyce Frances from those in the edition printed by the brothers Gregorii at Venice in 1492. The decorative initials are modelled upon those used by Aldus in the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili of 1499. The initials, headlines, headings etc., are printed in blue, headlines and headings being set in Poliphilus. The text throughout has been handset in Caslon" Rogerson 19. Ransom 83.

Price: $545.00