DANTE, LA COMEDIA, VENICE, 1536, CONTEMPORARY LETTERED VENETIAN CALF GILT

4to (210 x 154mm.), woodcut illustrations (one full-page), contemporary Venetian calf gilt lettered DANTE and GABRIEL on upper cover and ALIGHIERI and FRANCO on lower cover, central medallion gilt on each cover, edges gilt and gauffered, lacking first quire (including title-page with portrait of Dante) and preliminary leaves BB1-3 and 6-8, wormed and stained, binding slightly rubbed, lacking 4 pairs of ties; sold not subject to return

Gabriel Franco, name on binding; Bernard Mould, inscription on half-title dated 1717

Edit16 1162

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The medallion portrait stamp on the binding is lettered but as it is somewhat rubbed it is difficult to make out the subject of the portrait; it is plausibly the Emperor Hadrian.