Description
For sale: a rare and exceptional first edition, first printing hardcover copy of Purgatorio: A New Verse Translation by W. S. Merwin. First Edition stated, 2000 Knopf. First Printing with 2000 on both title and copyright pages and no subsequent printing.
The book is in Near Fine condition with spotless boards, strong title ink on a straight spine, a few smudges on page blocks, tight binding, mild spine tilt, lightly rolled spine ends, mild edge wear, and strong corners. The interior of the book is also in Near Fine condition with the ghost of an erased price on the first free end paper. No other marks, inscriptions, or any other signs of ownership. The end papers and the interior pages are clean and bright, making it an excellent addition to any collection. Appears unread.
The dust jacket is in Near Fine condition with mild surface and edge wear, the price intact on the front flap and a crease on the front flap. Looks great in a new Brodart archival wrap.
Purgatorio, the middle section of Dante Alighieri’s epic theological poem La Divina Commedia, is one of the indispensable works of the Western literary canon. At the pinnacle of a grand and prolific career, W. S. Merwin has given us a shimmering new verse translation of the central section of Dante’s Divine Comedy — the Purgatorio.
Led by Virgil, inspired by his love for Beatrice, Dante makes the arduous journey up the Mountain of Purgatory, where souls are cleansed to prepare them for the ultimate ascent to heaven. Presented with the original Italian text, and with Merwin’s notes and commentary, this luminous new interpretation of Dante’s great poem of sin, repentance, and salvation is a profoundly moving work of art and the definitive translation for our time.
Large volume ships promptly in a corrugated mailer with the book wrapped in both craft paper and multiple layers of bubble wrap.
