De Aetna. On Etna Pietro Bembo

TITLE: De Aetna / On Aetna by Petri Bembi (Pietro Bembo), Officina Bodoni, 1969. DESCRIPTION: Limited edition, No. 4 of 125 copies. Octavo (8vo) 9 3/8 x 6 1/4 inches, 238 x 165 mm., 151 pp. 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 morocco-rimmed top and bottom opening edges. The Latin text set in Mardersteig's Francesco Griffo type and the English text in Bembo type. Printed using a 19th century hand-press on hand made paper by Cartiera Cernobbio. All edges gilt. Postscript by proprietor Giovanni (Hans) Mardersteig. Includes prospectus. Book is protected with an archival clear Grafix Dura Lar dust wrapper. CONDITION: Book is in fine condition without markings, etc. Slipcase has a 3 mm white spot on rear panel, otherwise in fine condition as well._____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 Griffo 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 and German language editions but this English version is desirable and scarce. NOTE: International shipping cost to the United Kingdom and Europe is $40 U.S. dollars.