La Gerusalemme Liberata di Torquato Tasso

Florence: Presso Leonardo Ciardetti, 1823. Leather. Very Good. 9" by 6". Antionio Verico; Carlo Lasinio; Marco Zignani. An early 19th century Italian edition of this epic poem about the liberation of Jerusalem during the first Crusade, illustrated throughout. Jerusalem Delivered is a romantic epic poem that was first published in Italian in 1581. The poem focuses on the First Crusade, led by Godfrey of Bouillon, in which Christians battled Muslims in order to take over Jerusalem. It was written during the Italian Renaissance, and is largely mystified in it's telling of the real historical event, taking poetic liberties to make the event more exciting and readable.The poem was written by the Italian Torquato Tasso, who is best known for this poem. He remained to be one of the most widely read poets for a few hundred years after his death, which happened just a few days before he was due to the crowned by the Pope as the 'King of Poets'.Containing an engraved frontispiece, plus twenty additional engraved plates, by Italian engravers Antonio Verico, Carlo Lasinio, and Marco Zignani. Collated and complete.Containing a small ink notation to the front free-endpaper of each volume. Bound in half morocco with cloth covered boards. Externally, smart, with some light rubbing to the spine, joints, and extremities. Light shelf wear to the boards. Previous owners' small ink notations to the front free-endpapers of each volume. Internally, both volumes firmly bound. A few spots and handling marks to the pages, which are otherwise bright and clean. Very Good