Collodi, Le avventure di Pinocchio, Florence, Felice Paggi, 1883, half morocco

Carlo Collodi

Le avventure di Pinocchio, storia di un burattino. Illustrata da E. Mazzanti. Florence: Felice Paggi, 1883

8vo (177 x 114mm.), 236pp., frontispiece, illustrations, 4pp. of advertisements at end, contemporary half morocco over boards, spine gilt in compartments, occasional very light foxing, ends of spine rubbed

FIRST BOOK EDITION of Collodi's classic children's story. First appearing in the Giornale per i bambini from 1881 to 1883, its success led to the Florentine publisher Paggi approaching Collodi to publish the tale, though with a change to the ending so that it concluded on a happy note. Mazzanti's illustrations for Pinocchio provided what would become his definitive appearance. Its popularity meant that Paggi issued three more editions by 1888.