A pair of early 19th-century Italian publications in their original printed paper wrappers, featuring exceptionally wide, untrimmed deckle margins on handmade paper. The first volume, titled "L'Iride: Raccolta di novelle e racconti di vario colore", is a Milanese literary anthology published post-1832. The second volume, "Biblioteca Storica di tutte le nazioni: Classe prima, Storici italiani", represents a classical historical series of the period. Both volumes retain their original fragile temporary bindings, as issued for buyers to custom-bind.

Historical & Style Details

• Subject / Sitter / Source: Italian literature and history
• Publisher / Author: Editore dell'Indicatore (Milan) for "L'Iride"
• Period: Georgian (1714–1837)
• Origin: Italy
• Material / Technique: Letterpress printing on handmade paper, original printed paper wrappers
• Markings: Blue cover reverse reads "SI VENDE IN MILANO Presso l'Editore dell' Indicatore, Contrada della Sala al N.° 957, presso la Libreria Stella e Silvestri, nella Galleria De-Cristoforis al N.° 34..."
• Condition: Fragile paper covers with chipping, minor losses to spines, corners dog-eared, pages untrimmed with natural deckle edges, light foxing and toning consistent with age

History

During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, books were frequently sold in temporary paper wrappers (alla rustica) with untrimmed edges, allowing the purchaser to take them to a bookbinder of their choice for custom leather or half-calf binding. Survival in this original, untouched state is highly prized by bibliophiles. The mention of the Galleria De-Cristoforis on the blue wrapper dates that volume to after 1832, when this pioneering glass-roofed shopping arcade—the first of its kind in Italy—was opened in Milan.