Originally composed in the early 14th century, Dante Alighieri’s Inferno is the foundational cornerstone of Italian literature and a supreme masterpiece of the Western canon. As the first part of the Divine Comedy, it chronicles Dante’s harrowing descent through the nine circles of Hell, guided by the Roman poet Virgil. This edition is defined by the legendary wood engravings of Gustave Doré, the 19th century’s most celebrated illustrator. Doré’s haunting, dramatic, and meticulously detailed plates transformed Dante’s abstract theological concepts into a visceral, cinematic reality, setting the visual standard for how the afterlife is imagined to this day.
Edition: Large Format Illustrated Edition (c. Late 19th Century).
Publisher: Likely Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co. (Based on typical Doré-illustrated trade editions).
Illustrator: Features the full suite of wood-engraved plates by Gustave Doré.
Binding: Original cloth with elaborate gilt and blind-stamping.
Condition Points: This copy is in Poor condition and is featured as a "Curious Copy." Note: The hinges are cracked and the binding is loose. The boards exhibit significant shelf wear and heavy bumping to the corners. The first copyright page is detached, and there appear to be missing pages. The remaining leaves show fading and staining.
The Doré-illustrated Inferno is one of the most iconic "library pieces" in the world of book collecting, sought after for its massive scale and the dark beauty of its engravings. While this specimen has suffered significant structural fatigue and appears to be incomplete, it remains a valuable technical study copy. It is an ideal acquisition for a collector who wants to experience the power of Doré's plates in their original large format without the premium price of a fine-bound first state. This is an authentic Victorian "survivor" that captures the monumental aesthetic of 19th-century epic publishing.
Originally composed in the early 14th century, Dante Alighieri’s Inferno is the foundational cornerstone of Italian literature and a supreme masterpiece of the Western canon. As the first part of the Divine Comedy, it chronicles Dante’s harrowing descent through the nine circles of Hell, guided by the Roman poet Virgil. This edition is defined by the legendary wood engravings of Gustave Doré, the 19th century’s most celebrated illustrator. Doré’s haunting, dramatic, and meticulously detailed plates transformed Dante’s abstract theological concepts into a visceral, cinematic reality, setting the visual standard for how the afterlife is imagined to this day.
Edition: Large Format Illustrated Edition (c. Late 19th Century).
Publisher: Likely Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co. (Based on typical Doré-illustrated trade editions).
Illustrator: Features the full suite of wood-engraved plates by Gustave Doré.
Binding: Original cloth with elaborate gilt and blind-stamping.
Condition Points: This copy is in Poor condition and is featured as a "Curious Copy." Note: The hinges are cracked and the binding is loose. The boards exhibit significant shelf wear and heavy bumping to the corners. The first copyright page is detached, and there appear to be missing pages. The remaining leaves show fading and staining.
The Doré-illustrated Inferno is one of the most iconic "library pieces" in the world of book collecting, sought after for its massive scale and the dark beauty of its engravings. While this specimen has suffered significant structural fatigue and appears to be incomplete, it remains a valuable technical study copy. It is an ideal acquisition for a collector who wants to experience the power of Doré's plates in their original large format without the premium price of a fine-bound first state. This is an authentic Victorian "survivor" that captures the monumental aesthetic of 19th-century epic publishing.
