MANZONI, Alessandro - Promessi Sposi; or, the Betrothed Lovers

1834. MANZONI, Alessandro. I PROMESSI SPOSI; OR, THE BETROTHED LOVERS. A Milanese story of the seventeenth century. As translated for The Metropolitan, from the Italian of Alessandro Manzoni, by G. W. Featherstonhaugh. Washington: Stereotyped and Published by Duff Green. 1834. The "Metropolitan Edition." Possibly the first American edition. (There were two American translations printed in 1834; the other was printed at New York by G. Dearborn.) 8vo.: 249 pp. Text printed in double columns. Contemporary binding; black morocco spine with blind-stamped decoration and gilt-stamped title and year, marbled paper boards. Pencil inscription on ffep. and a contemporary pencil ownership on first flyleaf. Text leaves are mostly clean and quite fresh, showing only some occasional light foxing, and having a faint, shallow dampstain at the top-edge and, for the final 25 ff. at the top fore-corner. The binding is worn at perimeters, especially at corners, and rubbed at surfaces. The top fore-corner of the upper board is missing a small patch of paper. Lower joint is tender and is missing a thin strip of leather (1 1/2 x 1/8") at the head. This is an early translation of Manzoni's panoramic love story set in Milan in the seventeenth century. It is his masterpiece which, upon publication (1825-27), elevated him to the front rank of literary fame. It is still regarded by many Italians as their greatest novel. This is an appealing copy whose condition is very good plus. (American Imprints 25502; Kunitz & Colby). .

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