Quo Vadis

New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1959. Hardcover. Translation by Jeremiah Curtin. Introduction by Harold Lamb. Illustrations by Salvatore Fiume. Small 4to. Full natural blue/grey patterned linen with gilt spine lettering, dust jacket, slipcase. xiii, 595pp. Numerous full-page tipped-in illustrations. Fine/very good/near fine. Jacket spine age toned and with single tiny chip at head, otherwise untouched. Super tight and handsome copy of this handsome LEC production, with colophon at rear noting limitation of 1500 numbered copies (this #241) signed boldly in full by illustrator Salvatore Fiume and printer Giovanni Mardersteig. This novel by the Polish Nobel Laureate, first published in 1896, tells the tale of illicit love between a Roman patrician and a young Christian hostage and is set in the ancient Rome of Nero. In 1951 an epic historical drama film version was released, and this copy bears fine autograph additions from three of that film's cast. Tipped neatly to front flyleaf (top to bottom) are: ROBERT "Marcus Vinicius" TAYLOR (1911-69), who inscribes and signs an oddly-trimmed, roughly-oval shaped 6" X 4" slip "Best Wishes / To Donald, / Robert Taylor" huge and bold in blue fineline (several small tape stains at borders); DEBORAH "Lygia" KERR (1921-2007), who signs a heavy stock 5" X 3" card beautifully in red fineline; and NORA "Pomponia" SWINBURNE (1902-2000), who signs a heavy stock 5" X 3" card large and bold in black fineline, dating it 15 March 1977 at upper right. Publisher's 5½" X 8½" announcement leaflet and "Monthly Letter" are both laid in, as is Swinburne's original signature transmittal envelope. Quite attractive copy with unusual film tie-ins as well. Printed at the renowned Officina Bodoni in Verona, Italy. NEWMAN 302.