First edition. From the library of C. H. St. John Hornby, with his bookplate printed in red and black in each volume.

8vo., 2 volumes, sometime bound in dark green morocco backed marbled paper boards, spines lettered in gilt. Spines sunned to brown, otherwise a very good set with a pleasing provenance.

St John Hornby was the founder of the Ashendene Press. The masterpiece of the Press was the Ashendene Dante, published in 1909 (Tutte le Opere di Dante Alighieri).

“The purpose of these volumes is to add to the stock of tales from the Italian writers; to retain as much of the poetry of the originals as it is in the power of the writer’s prose to compass; and to furnish careful biographical notes of the authors.” (Preface)