1911 Stories From the Pentamerone by Basile - Illustrated Antique Book

An antique hardback copy of Stories From The Pentamerone by Giambattista Basile. Published in 1911 by Macmillan and Co., London. The defining feature of this edition is its illustrations by the celebrated British artist Warwick Goble. He provided 32 stunning, full-colour plates for the book. The contents are in very good condition. With some fading to the boards. Condition in detail below.

The Pentamerone is the oldest major collection of European fairy tales, written by Italian court poet Giambattista Basile and published posthumously between 1634 and 1636. Originally written in the Neapolitan dialect, it serves as the foundational blueprint for modern fairy tales, heavily influencing later writers like Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm.

Goble’s watercolours beautifully blend traditional Mediterranean imagery with delicate Oriental design influences. His illustrations are celebrated for their rich atmospheres, detailed Italian Renaissance costuming, and intricate architectural backdrops.

Inside the pages are clean and tightly bound. Has some tanning to the endpapers and the occasional spot or faint dark mark in the text. With an inked inscription from 1916 at the top of the front free endpaper, along with a stamped name (see photos). No other writing or markings of previous ownership. All 32 of the colour plates are present as called for. Each has their captioned tissue guard. Closed outside edges are tinted green.

Red cloth over boards have gilt decoration to the front, and titles to the spine. Has some fading to the red in strips one the outside edge of the boards, and to the spine. The lower, back board has a bump to the fore-edge. Very slight rubbing to the cloth on the corners and spine ends. The gilt decoration on the front remains shiny bright.

Your antique copy of Stories From Pentamerone will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to include a gift card with a message in the parcel.

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H 26 cm x W 20 cm, 304 pages, 1.4 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. With the exception of a small number of countries.

*If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped and sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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