The Decameron: The Modell of Wit, Mirth, Eloquence and Conversation Framed in Ten Dayes, of an Hundred Curious Pieces, by Seven Honourable Ladies, and Three Noble Gentlemen; Preserved to Posterity....
New York: The Limited Editions Club, [1940]. Hardcover. Introduction by Edward Hutton. Illustrations by Fritz Kredel. Complete 2-volume set. Small 4to. Quarter black calf with gilt lettering/decorations and grey decorative cloth. xxii, 536pp. Top edge gilt. Numerous small woodcuts. Near fine. Lacks slipcase. Item #47389
Quite handsome pair of this celebrated 14th century Italian novella collection -- the LEC's second time to publish it, the first being April 1930. That earlier edition, with decorations by T.M. Cleland and their usual limitation to 1500 copies, they improved with this edition outside their usual yearly series -- and as the colophon at rear of the second volume notes, it is limited to only 530 numbered copies (this #198) signed beautifully in vibrant blue ink by the great Kredel. At about one-third their usual limitation, the 1940 Boccaccio is understandably scarcer than their earlier production. Based on the unnamed translation of 1620, with two tales (different translators) added that were omitted from that first translation. Laid in the 8-page 8vo LEC "The Inside Story" leaflet discussing Kredel's work on this set. A lovely, lovely set. NEWMAN A-12.
Price: $300.00