De Aetna / On Etna by Petri Bembi / Pietro Bembo, Officina Bodoni, 1969

DESCRIPTION: Octavo (8vo) 9 3/8 x 6 1/4 inches, 238 x 165 mm.,  151 pp.  Limited edition of 125 copies.  Bilingual edition of original Latin text and the first appearance of an English translation (by Betty Radice).  Bound in quarter morocco with dark red-maroon paper over boards,  gilt-stamped with the Officina Bodoni press device.  Matching slipcase with identical red-maroon paper and curved and morocco rimmed top and bottom openings   The Latin text is set in Hans Mardersteig's  Francesco Griffo type and the English text in Bembo type.  Printed using a hand-press on hand made paper by Cartiera Cernobbio.  All edges gilt.  Postscript by proprietor Giovanni (Hans) Mardersteig.  Includes prospectus.  Book is protected with a clear archival Grafix dura Lar dust wrapper.

CONDITION: Both book and slipcase are in fine condition.  No writing, markings, ex-libris, etc.,  and without the oft-seen fading of the red morocco spine.

DISCUSSION:  Typographically speaking, this is an important book.The original type cut by Francesco Griffo for Aldus Manutius in 1492 is simulated with two newer types in this edition, a Grifffo type cut by Charles Malin and Stanley Morison's  Monotype Bembo, both derived from Griffo's original type.  In the postscript essay, Mardersteig discusses the three fonts and includes one page presenting a paragraph of the 1496 font followed by matching paragraphs of the same text in the newer Griffo and Bembo types.  The text itself is the first detailed written account of this volcano, written by Pietro Bembo.  There were also Italian & German language editions and this English version is desirable and scarce.

Please examine all of the photographs and ask all questions prior to purchase as sale is final.

Mardersteig includes an essay discussing the original Griffo font of 1496 made for Aldus Manutius's edition of De Aetna and the two fonts used in this edition.