I lombardi alla prima crociata canti quindici di Tommaso Grossi

Three parts in one volume, 8vo (203x126 mm). [6], 143, [1 blank]; 152; 162, [2: errata] pp. With an aquatint frontispiece in part one, not called for in the usual bibliographies. Contemporary green half calf gilt, panels covered with marbled paper, sprinkled edges (worn and rubbed). Some scattered marginal foxing, but a very fresh copy with good margins.

First edition of this historical poem in 15 cantos in octaves, an attempt at an epic celebration of the First Crusade, from which Temistocle Solera would derive the libretto for Giuseppe Verdi's opera of the same name, first performed at La Scala in 1843. I Lomabrdi alla prima crociata is very similar in spirit to Walter Scott's historical novels and, as such, it represented something new on the still quite traditional Italian literary scene of the time.

Italian Union Catalogue, IT\ICCU\LO1E\002802; Vismara, p. 24 (“Di questa prima edizione si fece una tiratura di 3500 copie”). Parenti, Prime edizioni italiane, 279.

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