Dante, Alighieri

The Divina Commedia [Divine Comedy]

London: A. Strahan for T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1802. First Edition. 3 volumes. 8vo (220 x 140mm), pp. vi, [2], 408; [iv], 56, [ii (divisional title)], 57-384; [iv], 420. Near contemporary full diced calf, spines in six compartments with gilt lettering, page edges marbled, endpapers slightly rough from removed bookplates, few small smudges to calf, else near fine. Complete with frontispiece, half-titles (in vols. II and III, as called for), and errata. Importantly, never repaired or rebacked. Ownership signature of Maria H.M. Halford in each volume. Item #1266

The first complete English translation of Dante's masterwork, rendered by Henry Boyd in terza rima Boyd's preservation of Dante's verse form represents a technical achievement that many translators before him had deemed impossible, while his annotations helped readers navigate the complex references to medieval Florentine politics, classical mythology, and Catholic theology.

The Divine Comedy's enduring relevance and universal themes have cemented its status as a cornerstone of Western literary tradition. Dante's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise transcends its medieval Catholic framework to explore fundamental human experiences: guilt and redemption, love and loss, political corruption and moral clarity, the nature of justice and divine order. The poem's vivid imagery—from the contrapasso punishments that fit each sin to Beatrice's radiant presence in Paradise—continues to resonate across centuries and cultures. Its influence permeates literature, art, theology, and philosophy, while its psychological depth and narrative architecture established paradigms for depicting spiritual transformation that remain central to Western imagination. Sets in this condition are rare, most having suffered the repairs typical of frequently consulted works.

Price: $15,000.00