The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy. Translated by S. G. C. Middlemore. by Burckhardt, Jacob, 1818-1897. / Middlemore, S. G. C., translator

Basel: Druck und Verlag der Schweighauser'schen Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1860. Decorative Cloth. Fine. First Edition of this classics of Renaissance historiography, from the library of Otto Wesendonck, patron of the composer Richard Wagner. Demy 8vo (221 x 133mm): 4],576pp. Original moire-pattern purple cloth, covers blocked in blind with intricate oval device, spine lettered and ruled in gilt, brown patterned end papers. Wesendonck's engraved book plate to front paste-down, with his contemporary ownership inscription to front free fly-leaf and blind library stamp to tile page . Basel postage stamp laid in. Spine lightened a degree or two, very occasional foxing, otherwise an exemplary example, tightly bound, pages remarkably fresh and bright, virtually pristine. PMM 347. This milestone of cultural history, written by Burckhardt between 1855 and 1858, cast a "powerful spell . . . upon such widely different writers as Ruskin, Nietzsche and Gobineau, as well as upon innumerable lovers of the most… Read More