Alighieri, Dante (1265-1321) & Maurice Denis, illus. Vita Nova, extra-illustrated in a fine Art Deco binding.

Alighieri, Dante (1265-1321) & Maurice Denis, illus.


Vita Nova, extra-illustrated in a fine Art Deco binding.



Paris: Le Livre Contemporain, 1907.



Limited edition, quarto; an unnumbered copy from an edition of 130; parallel text printed in French and Italian; 35 color illustrations and numerous initials; extra-illustrated with frontispiece bound in after the translator's introduction; with two states of the first full-page illustration; bound in three-quarter gray morocco and textured paper binding by Marot-Rodde, Art Deco gilt decoration to boards, spine gilt-lettered with the author's name, the title inlaid in blue morocco, with matching textured endleaves, top edge gilt (a few smudges; just rubbed at spine head); contained in the original chemise, but likely lacking slipcase; 11 7/8 x 8 1/2 in.



An exemplary binding showcasing the skills of Louise Marot-Rodde (1870-1938), who won a silver medal for her work at Paris's International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in 1925. Marot-Rodde initially studied at the Ecole Estienne, later flourishing under the tutelage of master binder Petrus Ruban (1851-1929). She managed her own bindery and studio until 1936, producing some of the most brilliant bindings of the Art Deco period.